Aethra hand-held testers, used stand-alone or in conjunction with PC108 software on a laptop, provide highly practical features for set up, maintenance and troubleshooting of ISDN circuits, equipment and services.

The D2500 is a versatile basic and primary rate ISDN tester capable of fulfilling needs in service turnup and maintenance, testing both lines and equipment. Used either stand-alone or with a PC and the Windows-based software, the D2500 provides error-rate analysis and rapid verification of the status of basic and primary channels. The D2500 also provides powerful D-channel signaling and protocol analysis capable of decoding EURO ISDN, DASS2, DPNSS QSIG, 1TR6 and X.25 over ISDN. Integration of a wide range of features allows the D2500 to address a wider range of applications such as Service Verification over PRI, BRI, Frame Relay Links, WAN and ISDN lines, and also testing of DCE/DTE connections over a range of interfaces.

BER tests and call generation.

The D2500 has a built-in BER tester, which allows the operator to send patterns on any B channel, either towards the network (NT) or a terminal device (TE), and measure the results to G.821 standards. Functionality includes the ability to work as a sender only, a receiver only, or as both. This flexibility allows two D2500 devices to test an ISDN link in both directions simultaneously, or a single unit can be used to call from one B channel to the other (local B1-B2), put the second channel in loop and then perform a BER test to itself. The Call Generation function is designed to test quality of service in terms of call set-up success rate. The D2500 can be programmed to make a pre-determined number of calls to a destination test number with the option to hold the call on failure. Call duration and inter-call time can be specified.

Advanced analysis and protocol decoding

The D2500 is capable of monitoring and capturing and date-time stamping, in real time, protocol events on the D channel with powerful and easy analysis. The user can filter on specific layers and/or event types. Filtering is also available at the pre-capture stage, giving yet greater flexibility in operation.

Designed for practical use

The D2500 is easy to use, whether undertaking routine ISDN installation, system rollout programs, equipment testing or complex troubleshooting. For example, the built-in microphone and loudspeaker can be used in both push-to-talk and hands-free modes. Pre-defined tests can be created or selected and activated to ensure quick and consistent instrument setup.

In addition, the D2500 can be used in conjunction with external test equipment: B channels can be output to a V.11 interface for digital analysis, or to an audio jack for analogue measurements.

 PC108 Software

The Aethra® software for analysis and remote control, PC108 for Windows™, provides features for trace analysis and decoding activities, making it easy to troubleshoot ISDN, E1/T1, Serial Interfaces, xDSL, ATM, IP, Analog PSTN and VoIP. The software includes applications for trace analysis and management, VoIP systems characterization, remote device control and for internal firmware upgrading. The software can also send X.25 user-defined packets and set macro actions for predefined commands on the connected device, making the technician's job easier. The ENTERPRISE version of the software, provides powerful tools for TCP/IP protocols decoding as well as graphical statistics, sound reproduction of captured voice data and the possibility to control remotely one or more testers via IP. The ENTERPRISE VoIP tools provide the user with analysis and decode functions, details of connections and advanced objective QoS evaluation through the detection of quality parameters.

Powerful and detailed trace analysis, off-line and “real time” mode with multi-decoding features VoIP analysis and details of connections Remote control of devices via modem, IP or RS232 cable Display and process up to four concurrent statistic windows Record and play all the steps performed for the execution of tests File management facilities with navigation by projects Intuitive firmware upgrading tool

The D2001 is a high performance Basic Rate ISDN test set.

Used as a stand-alone hand-held unit, it provides all the features needed for turn-up testing and trouble-shooting in the field. Used in conjunction with a PC and the software package provided, the unit delivers extended in-depth decoding and analysis of the ISDN signalling protocol

The D2001 is designed as a hand-held Basic Rate ISDN Test Set capable of being used in two ways. As a self contained hand-held tester it provides error rate testing and rapid verification of the status of BRA channels with clear LED status indicators, front panel LCD display and keypad operation. Used in conjunction with a simply connected PC and supplied software, the D2001 becomes a powerful D Channel signalling protocol monitor and analyser of the EuroISDN protocol. The hand-held unit weighs only 750gm and may be powered from an external AC source (adapter/charger supplied), or via internal AA rechargeable batteries, giving complete field portability.

Advanced analysis and protocol decoding

The D2001 provides particularly powerful signalling protocol manipulation and capture with software designed to give the feel of a windows type application for ease of use and understanding. Features include the time stamping of all captured events with the ability to place markers between selected start and end points for accurate measurement of time delay between events, and trigger capability to enable start of capture of selected D Channel information only. Sophisticated filtering allows the user to display any, all or selected layer 1, 2 and 3 events as desired, thereby preventing unnecessary wading through captured protocol streams for relevant information. Filters may be applied to both pre and post capture streams, giving the user total flexibility in protocol decode manipulation. D Channel messages may be displayed in simple two column notation with basic frame type or in two line format with NS/NR and C/R Ref information. In addition, captured information may be expanded to give a plain English decode of message types with level 2 and 3 information also being simultaneously displayed in hex format.

The unit has a built in Bit Error Rate Tester , allowing the user to send a selectable test pattern on any B channel, and measure incoming test patterns to G.821 standard. Functionality includes the ability to send an outgoing pattern only, measure an incoming pattern only, or send an outgoing and measure an incoming pattern simultaneously. This flexibility allows two testers at either end of an ISDN link to provide full duplex BERT testing. Alternatively, a single D2001 may be used to make a call from one B channel to another ( B1 to B2 locally), place the second B channel in loopback though the unit and then perform a BERT test to itself.

Additional functionality includes Call Generation mode whereby the tester may be set to make a predetermined number of calls at specified intervals to a specific destination number with call duration programmed, and the results of the test logged with any failed setups showing the cause of failure.

Test results may be stored in a connected PC as a file and reloaded into the equipment as required. These may then be printed via the V.28 serial port which is also used for PC and remote connection.

The D2001 is specifically designed for easy use by both engineers and non-specialists, whether undertaking routine ISDN installation, system roll-out programs, equipment testing, or complex trouble-shooting.

For example, the D2001 has its own built in microphone and speaker with both push-to-talk mode and hands free operation. This allows the unit to be used for two way communication with another person using either an ISDN phone or another D2001 unit.

In addition, the D2001 can be used in conjunction with other types of diagnostics equipment, a separate V.11 interface on the unit providing B-channel break-out to feed data into a separate protocol analyser, for instance.

To find out more about Phoenix Datacom products, call Phoenix Datacom on 01296 397711 , send an email or use the Request More Info form.

For a full list of Phoenix Datacom products and applications, click here.