Arcom Digital Quiver XT User manual

Quiver XT User Guide
Quiver XT and XT-UB v.1.3.1
Firmware release XT4.19 and above
Q-browser release 5.0.0.11 and above
12/04/18
This document describes the operation and feature set of the Quiver XT.

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Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................4
Quiver Functional Overview .........................................................................................................4
Navigation Buttons ......................................................................................................................5
Inputs and Outputs ......................................................................................................................... 6
Batteries .................................................................................................................................... 6
Startup ........................................................................................................................................7
Brightness and Audio control .......................................................................................................7
Settings .......................................................................................................................................8
Settings - General.........................................................................................................................8
Setting Up the FSK Data Carrier Band and FSK frequency .............................................................. 9
Background ................................................................................................................................... 10
Settings – Measurement ............................................................................................................10
Setting operation standards.......................................................................................................... 10
Distance scale................................................................................................................................ 11
Return band .................................................................................................................................. 11
FWD scan list ................................................................................................................................. 11
Sweep profile ................................................................................................................................ 12
Settings - Calibration..................................................................................................................12
Quiver XT Operation Modes .......................................................................................................13
CPD Radar Mode........................................................................................................................13
Passive CPD Radar......................................................................................................................... 14
CPD Radar Connection Diagrams .................................................................................................. 15
Amplifier Connection .................................................................................................................... 17
Tap and Splitter Connection.......................................................................................................... 18
End of Line CPD ............................................................................................................................. 19
Using CPD Radar in Local View...................................................................................................... 20
Selecting CPD detection filter bandwidth ..................................................................................... 21
Selecting noise suppression .......................................................................................................... 21
Using the CPD Marker Option....................................................................................................... 23
Zoom mode in Passive radar ......................................................................................................... 24
Filtering of analog channels - IMPORTANT ................................................................................... 25
Active radar mode......................................................................................................................... 25
NTC TDR ....................................................................................................................................26
Connecting to a line passive.......................................................................................................... 29
Connecting to an amplifier............................................................................................................ 30
Connecting to a length of cable .................................................................................................... 31
Using the TDR................................................................................................................................ 32
Check Spectrum ............................................................................................................................ 32
TDR Settings – VOP........................................................................................................................ 33
Cable.............................................................................................................................................. 33
Recommended TDR signal level.................................................................................................... 34
TDR run modes.............................................................................................................................. 34

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Spectrum analyzer/Signal level meter modes .............................................................................35
Return spectrum analyzer mode................................................................................................... 35
LNA – low noise amplifier ............................................................................................................. 37
Reference level change ................................................................................................................. 37
Scale change.................................................................................................................................. 38
Markers ......................................................................................................................................... 39
Using Max Hold ............................................................................................................................. 40
Hold feature .................................................................................................................................. 41
Saving a Spectrum Analyzer Trace ................................................................................................ 41
Forward SLM/Spectrum mode....................................................................................................43
Examples of actual FWD spectrum signals.................................................................................... 43
QAM demodulator mode ...........................................................................................................45
Using the Save Trace Option.......................................................................................................46
Saving a Trace................................................................................................................................ 46
Recalling a Trace............................................................................................................................ 47
Clearing Traces .............................................................................................................................. 48
Downloading Traces...................................................................................................................... 48
Using CPD Radar in Headend View ............................................................................................... 49
Calibrator Mode (QVR-XT only) ..................................................................................................50
Calibrator Connection Diagrams .................................................................................................51
Nodes ............................................................................................................................................ 51
Alternative Node Calibration ........................................................................................................ 52
Using Calibrator mode ...............................................................................................................53
Setting Up the Data Carrier Frequency ......................................................................................... 54
Setting the Signal Output Level..................................................................................................... 56
Calibrating a Fiber Node................................................................................................................ 57
Turning Calibrator Output Signal ON and OFF .............................................................................. 57
Leakage Detector .......................................................................................................................60
Max Hold leak level ....................................................................................................................... 62
Saving and recalling the leakage trace.......................................................................................... 63
RTN Simple Sweep Generator.....................................................................................................63
Sweep Profiles............................................................................................................................... 64
Manual sweep profile ................................................................................................................... 64
Fixed sweep profile ....................................................................................................................... 65
Creating a fixed sweep profile. ..................................................................................................... 65
Transferring a fixed sweep profile using Q-browser..................................................................... 66
Quiver Navigator App ................................................................................................................67
Loading maps into your Quiver Navigator App............................................................................. 67
QR Codes ...................................................................................................................................69
Using the QR Code with the Mobile Quiver Navigator App.......................................................... 71
Changing the Quiver-XT Battery Pack ....................................................................................76
Changing the Q-AMP Battery ................................................................................................77
Quiver-XT-UB Specifications .......................................................................................................78
Physical.......................................................................................................................................... 78
Environmental............................................................................................................................... 78
Interfaces ...................................................................................................................................... 78

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Operating Specifications ............................................................................................................... 78
Spectrum Analyzer ........................................................................................................................ 78
TDR Mode...................................................................................................................................... 79
CPD Passive radar mode ............................................................................................................... 79
CPD Active radar mode ................................................................................................................. 79
RTN Simple Sweep Generator....................................................................................................... 79
Q-AMP 5/40 and Q-AMP-5/70 MHz Specifications ......................................................................80
Physical.......................................................................................................................................... 80
Environmental............................................................................................................................... 80
Interfaces ...................................................................................................................................... 80
Operating Specifications ............................................................................................................... 80
Introduction
Quiver is a hand held, state of the art impairment locator – designed to identify the
distance to the fault for both linear and nonlinear distortions. Quiver uniquely
contains a CPD passive radar locator, a Network Traffic Compatible TDR, forward and
return FFT spectrum analyzer, QAM demodulator, Simple Return Sweep and leakage
detector.
Two version of Quiver XT are available, a standard version which works with the
Hunter system, and an unbundled version for stand-alone operation.
The standard version when used with Hunter provides a method of node calibration
which allows for quicker and more efficient node scanning and additionally provides a
means for the meter to display the impairment as seen as the headend, for
confirmation of fix.
Quiver Functional Overview
Quiver performs several functions that vary depending upon the operating mode
you choose. Within each operating mode, various screens will appear in the Quiver
display. All the navigation buttons are located on the lower portion of the unit.

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Navigation Buttons
Power ON/OFF: To turn the
unit on, press for 3 second; to
turn the unit off, press and
hold for 3 seconds and select
Power down option. Select
Standby for putting the meter
into power saving state with
fast launch.
To wake up the unit from
the
Standby, press and hold
the power button for 3
seconds. If you hold it too
long, the unit will shut down.
<ENTER>: Used to confirm
changes and to enable some
functions.
Exit : press to exit the
menu item, note some
screens require pushing
Back
soft key instead.
Cursors (arrow keys): Used
for scrolling the screen and
switching between functions.
Right below the screen
window are four function keys
that are related to information
displayed on the screen.

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Inputs and Outputs
F-Ports: The F-Type RF ports change purpose based on the menu selection and are
identified on the LCD display. For example, when in CPD mode the port functions as
Forward and Return Inputs, while in TDR mode the port functions are Tx and Rx.
Forward/Tx/Antenna: Connects to the forward test port at the amplifier or fiber
node, or to one of the outputs of the QTP-20 Test Probe (used at any device that does
not have a forward or return test port).
Return/Rx: Serves as an input while in either Spectrum Analyzer or CPD Radar
mode; serves as an output for the calibration signal when in Calibrator mode.
Battery charger input: Connector dedicated to charging the batteries using either
the AC input charger which is supplied with the Quiver, or a car charger that can be
purchased separately.
USB 2.0: The USB 2.2 port connects to an IBM compatible PC for stored picture
transfer and firmware updating through Q-Browser.
Batteries
The Quiver contains a specific Li-Ion battery pack. For safety, only use the battery
charger supplied with the Quiver. Replacement batteries are available from Arcom. A
procedure for battery replacement can be found at the end of this Usurers Guide.
Do Not replace the battery pack with any battery pack unless provided by Arcom.

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Startup
To turn on the
Quiver, push the
Power ON/OFF
button and hold
for 3 seconds.
Once the unit
is on, you will see
the following
screen, landing on
the Operation
modes page.
Brightness and Audio control
Brightness and volume control is accesses by
pressing the Brightness / Volume hot key
accessed from the main menu page. Use the
up/down arrows to adjust volume and left and
right arrows to adjust brightness.

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Settings
Press the settings hotkey to access various
items.
Settings - General
The General setting button contains information
on the FSK data carrier and frequency for use with
the complete Hunter system (not relevant with
unbundled versions of Quiver XT), as well as
background color changes.

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Setting Up the FSK Data Carrier Band and FSK frequency
This section is only applicable for the standard version of the Quiver XT and can be
disregarded when using the Unbundled version .
Quiver uses an FSK carrier to communicate with headend equipment. Prior to
operating the system, you must set the frequency of the data carrier. The FSK carrier is
tuned in a relatively small bandwidth, which means that the Quiver is dedicated to one
particular headend or hub at a time. Any time you move to another headend or hub,
you must go back and change the Data Carrier.
When starting the Quiver for the first time, the user might have to select the FSK
band first. Typically, the Quiver will be set in the factory to the required band. Note
that the frequency band is factory preset with the hardware components and changing
the band in the settings will not have any result.
If it becomes necessary to verify if the Quiver is set to proper band, that can be
done in Settings mode – from the Operation
Modes, use the Setting soft key
Note: the selected FSK band must match
the internal FSK receiver band.

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Background
Allows to change from a white to black
background color.
Settings – Measurement
Setting operation standards
In order to operate properly in the forward
spectrum analyzer and analog leak detector
modes this is necessary to set properly the TV
standard that is used by the cable plant. From the
main Settings menu select Measure menu item
and press <Enter>.
Then select the appropriate standard from the
list.

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Distance scale
Select feet vs. meter – this setting is generic
across multiple operational modes.
Return band
This configures the return bandwidth of the
used, used across multiple modes of operation.
FWD scan list
This feature is used to select channels to
display in the SLM, if the user wants to view
certain channels instead of all channels.

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Sweep profile
Sweep profile allows the operator to review the
output frequencies of the stored profiles. Up to
64 frequency points can be viewed for each
profile. Use the left and right arrow key to select
a sweep profile.
Settings - Calibration
Calibration is used to change various parameters at
the factory, it is not a setting that a user should ever
require access to. It is password protected.

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Quiver XT Operation Modes
Quiver XT has 8 main operating modes.
CPD radar modes consist of active and
passive radars and are used to precisely range
distance to CPD or any nonlinear distortion.
NTC TDR mode contains a network traffic
compatible TDR which precisely ranges distance
to linear distortions by providing visiblity to the
return loss across the entire cable span up until
the next amplifier.
Spectrum analyzer/Signal Strength Meter
(SLM) mode contains forward and return FFT
analyzers as well as a convient signal level meter
function.
QAM demodulator allows to view
constellation.
Leakage detector mode contains an analog detector that can detect any analog
carrier on the network.
Calibrator mode is use to calibrated nodes when used as part of a complete
Hunter system.
The RTN Sweep (SSG - Simple Sweep Generator) is used to insert the sweep
signals into the network for balancing. The sweep can be viewed by the Quiver itself, or
connect your smart phone to the Arcom Simple Sweep web page.
CPD Radar Mode
In CPD Radar Mode, Quiver performs one of
its primary function – calculating the time
distance to CPD sources located downstream of
the network connection point. Quiver can see
multiple CPD sources and display each one as a peak on its LCD screen. The user can
view all the peaks in the CPD response, which are indicated by markers on the LCD
screen.

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Passive CPD Radar
Passive CPD Radar uses existing Analog, QAM
and OFDM signals to determine the presence of
CPD. When selecting “Passive CPD radar” from the
main menu you are presented with three options.
Standard fixed BW 8-16 MHz This is the
selection most likely used. Although you can
adjust upper and lower frequency limits, this
selection captures CPD at 12 MHz ± 4 MHz.
Narrow adjustable BW 4 MHz . This option
provides a fixed 4 MHz BW, but the center
frequency can be adjusted from 8 to 90 MHz.
Wide BW 5-100 MHz . This selection detects
CPD using in the complete 5-100 MHz Return
Band.
While using CPD radar with a Quiver XT you have the option to operate in either
local or headend mode. In local mode the distance to the CPD source is displayed as
described above. In headend view mode, the Quiver shows the CPD as the distance
seen from the fiber node, as measured by the Hunter system at the headend. The
Headend mode feature is not available on the unbundled Quiver XT-UB.
The radar is equipped with Max Noise Suppression function that helps in revealing
the CPD peaks from the higher than average noise floors.

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CPD Radar Connection Diagrams
To use CPD Radar Mode, you must establish proper connection to the network
devices. The diagrams illustrate the proper CPD/leg Isolation setups to use for the
various devices in the network.
Node Connection
Node Connection – Single Output Amp/Fiber Node

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Node Connection – Isolation at Fiber Node

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Amplifier Connection
Node Connection – Isolation at Amplifier

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Tap and Splitter Connection
Tap and Splitter Connection – Isolation at Tap/Splitter

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End of Line CPD
When you get to the last tap at the end of line and suspect that the CPD is coming
from a house, you will have to use the Quiver in Headend View. Connect the Quiver
Forward Port to the tap and keep disconnecting the houses (tap ports 1- 8) one by one
while watching the Quiver screen in headend view. If you disconnect a house (tap port)
and at the same moment the CPD signal disappears, that house is the CPD source.
End of Line CPD

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Using CPD Radar in Local View
When you activate CPD Radar Mode from the Operation Modes (by hitting key 1 or
highlighting with the cursor buttons and pressing <ENTER>), the default is Local view.
The following screen will appear:
The Quiver is constantly scanning for CPD
sources, and you will see slight changes on the
screen as the scanning occurs. To stop the Quiver
from scanning, you can press the Stop soft key which
will be renamed into Run key. Press the Run soft key
when you need it to resume scanning.
The Quiver display defaults to the medium Delay
Range of 0-25µs. If you want to change the delay
range, open menu item Delay scale by hitting key 1
and pressing <Enter>. The dialog box will open
where the following settings can be selected with ^
and v cursor keys.
Range can be
selected as 0-5µs, 0-25 µs, or a maximum of 0-50
µs.
Delay Range 0 –
50 µs and 0-5 µs
is shown to the
right.
It is
important to
note that the time delay span does not changing the instrument resolution of the CPD