HP Test Set Enhancements Simplify and Extend Installation and Maintenance Testing; New ATM Testing Options; Remote-access Capabilities; and Redesigned, One-touch User Interface Added to CERJAC 156MTS.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 1997-- Installation and maintenance personnel responsible for SONET, ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) and T-carrier testing in the field now have more ATM testing options and new remote-control and "one-touch" test-access choices available in a single, portable platform, with Hewlett-Packard Company's significant enhancements to its CERJAC 156MTS SONET maintenance test set.

These enhancements include the addition of STS-1/DS1/E1 testing capabilities, remote-access software that allows the user to control the unit from a Microsoft(R) Windows(R)-based PC through a local or remote connection, and a new front panel that performs test functions and displays results at the touch of a single button.

"We upgraded the 156MTS test set to enhance usability, functionality and cost-effectiveness for personnel working in the field," said Ed Richards, general manager of HP's Communications Measurement Division. "They continue to demand a rugged, go-anywhere unit that lets them deal with a wide range of ATM and physical testing requirements over a wide variety of network transmission rates, and the HP CERJAC 156MTS SONET set continues to be the answer."

ADVANCED ATM TESTING OPTIONS NOW INCLUDE STS-1, DS1 AND E1 INTERFACES

The addition of STS-1, DS1 and E1 interfaces to the test set's advanced ATM option now allows ATM payload testing at a wider range of SONET and T-carrier transmission rates. These new interfaces complement the product's existing ability to test STS-12c, STS-3c, DS3/HEC and DS3/PLCP ATM payloads.

The advanced ATM option offers a full suite of "in-service" Quality-of-Service (QoS) measurements for STS-3c, STS-1, DS3/HEC, DS3/PLCP, E1 and DS1 rates, including verifying valid cell delineation; counting correctable, non-correctable and total HEC (header error check) errors; monitoring selected cell not received (SCNR) status; determining total and selected cell-stream bandwidths (and cell counts); monitoring operations, administration and maintenance (OAM) status; and measuring cell inter-arrival time (CIT). Users also can perform Virtual Path Identifier/Virtual Channel Identifier (VPI/VCI) cell scan and cell capture for both direct and Physical Layer Convergence Protocol (PLCP) (DS3 only) mapped payloads.

These "in-service" options are complemented by a broad array of "out-of-service" tests, including bit-error rate test (BERT), cell mis-insertion, cell transfer delay (CTD), and alarm and payload (HEC and payload) error insertion. To simulate real-world conditions, users can configure a single foreground channel and up to four background channels as either constant bit rate (CBR) or variable bit rate (VBR) cell streams. The foreground channel can be set to (ATM Adaptation Layer) AAL0, AAL1 or test cell with fixed or user patterns for QoS and BERT measurements. To test VBR service, the advanced ATM option can generate both single and periodic ATM cell bursts or ATM cell streams that follow the "leaky-bucket algorithm" on the foreground channel.

NEW WINDOWS-BASED GRAPHICAL REMOTE-CONTROL SOFTWARE

An advanced software bundle now enables the user to control the test set from a Microsoft Windows-based PC, using familiar point-and-click commands and easy-to-follow on-screen displays that emulate the front panel of the unit precisely. The PC can be connected to the unit locally via a standard serial cable, or remotely through a standard modem.

Remote event-logging software enables the user to view graphical displays of SONET, ATM and T-carrier errors, alarms and events effortlessly. Results can be displayed as histograms, bar charts and graphs, and data can be viewed, stored and recalled using standard Windows-based commands. The software can automatically collect the data in the background while the test is in progress. Test data can be displayed in either an elapsed-time or time-of-day format.

NEW FRONT-PANEL DESIGN OFFERS ONE-TOUCH ACCESS TO "AUTO SETUP", "TROUBLESCAN" AND ATM STATUS CONDITIONS

The redesigned interface offers simple, one-touch front-panel access to the most important field-test functions. A touch of the "auto setup" key identifies the highest-rate optical or electrical input signal and begins synchronization. (If there is subrate traffic, the user is prompted to select a channel.) When the user presses the "troublescan" key, the tester scans the input signal and provides a hierarchical list of alarms and errors or a "no errors and alarms" message.

To further enhance usability in the field, new LEDs provide the user with at-a-glance information on ATM status, as well as such error and alarm conditions as cell sync, channel match, pattern sync, PLCP sync, OAM alarms and SCNR.

Other noteworthy design elements include optional, interchangeable front-panel optical connectors that enable the user to change rapidly between FC/PC, ST, SC, D4-PC and other standard connectors. In addition, the test set's packaging has been redesigned for improved portability and durability.

U.S. PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

Pricing for the HP CERJAC 156MTS SONET maintenance test set begins at $11,750. All features and options described in this release are available now.

ABOUT HP

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global provider of computing, Internet and Intranet solutions, services, communications products and measurement solutions, all of which are recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 112,800 employees and had revenue of $38.4 billion in its 1996 fiscal year.

Information about products from HP's Test and Measurement Organization can be obtained on the World Wide Web via http://www.hp.com/go/tmnews . -0-

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Information in this release applies specifically to products available in the United States. Product availability and specifications may vary in non-U.S. markets.

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