How Service Providers can mimic their network in the lab?
The LSX Physical Layer Simulation Platform enables Service Providers to reproduce the cable and noise characteristics that are indicative of its network in their labs. This allows them to test their DSLAM units and modems, in order to establish maximum data rates that can be achieved on new services like IPTV, VoIP and high speed Broadband Data over the network.
The challenge today with DSL is defining appropriate deployment rules that take into consideration the various DSL services already in use, as well as the required speed and acceptable bit error rates in terms that define a minimum Service Assurance Level. All these issues depend on the Service Providers' cable infrastructure, which depend on the physical layer characteristics of the copper cable.
Sparnex Instruments has developed a fully programmable Physical Layer simulator which is unique in its kind since it can accurately simulate all specific cable type parameters of any copper network which is unique in each country and for each network.
With the ICXACT it is possible to run tests in the laboratory that represent realistic field conditions; the ICXACT is a portable ultra sensitive DSL Spectrum/Network analyzer that can be operated by any technician. With this equipment all field parameters of real cables are accurately measured and stored; the captured data in ICXACT is compatible with the Customer Loop Enabler (CLE) and with the Copper Network Builder (CNB) of the Sparnex Instruments Simulation platform.
In a matter of seconds the measured field parameters are reproduced in the laboratory allowing the Service Providers to measure the performance of the DSL technology accurately and with a high probability that these test results are also realistic performance reach numbers to be expected in deployed conditions of their own network.
This concept is a flexible solution that adds the missing link between laboratory test results according to the Standards and the real field conditions to be expected in deployed networks. Still the Sparnex Instruments DSL platform can be loaded with any G.99x.x ITU, ETSI, ATIS Standard or Broadband Forum recommendation test profile as well as simulation profiles of other line simulators in a way that the copy is often better than the original.