Sage 923lts User manual

Sage 923LTS User’s Guide
Automated Local Loop Test
System
Sage Instruments
240 Airport Blvd.
Freedom, CA 95019
Tel. [phone], Fax [phone]
www.sageinst.com
Part Number 9100-0923-01 v2.0
Advanced Test Equipment Rentals
www.atecorp.com 800-404-ATEC (2832)
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29100-0923-01 V2.0 SAGE INSTRUMENTS
2000 Sage Instruments
No part of this publication may be reproduced, photocopied, stored in a retrieval
system, distributed, translated, or transmitted in any form or by any means
(electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise) without the express written
permission of Sage Instruments.
Sage Instruments
240 Airport Blvd.
Freedom, CA 95019
Tel. [phone], Fax [phone]
www.sageinst.com

SAGE INSTRUMENTS 9100-0923-01 V2.0 3
Table of Contents
Section 1 Introduction 5
The Sage Instruments 923LTS.......................................................................................5
Automated Local Loop Test System (ALTS)...................................................................5
Automated Local Loop Tests...........................................................................................6
Other Tests......................................................................................................................6
100 Responder Noise Measurement ..............................................................................6
102 Responder Loss Measurement................................................................................6
Perceptual Speech Quality Measurement (PSQM)..........................................................6
The 923LTS Test Environment........................................................................................7
Section 2 Getting Started 9
Unpacking........................................................................................................................9
Options............................................................................................................................9
Charging the Batteries.....................................................................................................9
Initial Charge...................................................................................................................9
Recharging......................................................................................................................9
Viewing the Display........................................................................................................10
Special Screen Display Characters..................................................................................10
Arrows .......................................................................................................................10
Blinking Cursor ...........................................................................................................10
< Bracketed Selection > ..............................................................................................10
Using the Keypad...........................................................................................................11
F1 and F2...................................................................................................................11
Light Bulb Key ............................................................................................................11
tuBackspace, Delete, and Forward..........................................................................11
pq Up, Down, and Escape ........................................................................................11
CLR (Clear)................................................................................................................11
INFO..........................................................................................................................11
BACK.........................................................................................................................11
NEXT.........................................................................................................................11
Volume Control...........................................................................................................12
TALK..........................................................................................................................12
ON/OFF .....................................................................................................................12
Using the Telephone Keypad..........................................................................................12
Alphabetic and Numeric Data Entry..............................................................................12
Setting Up the Basic Operating Features......................................................................13
Interfaces ......................................................................................................................13
Test Interface.............................................................................................................13
Serial Port ..................................................................................................................13
Environment ..................................................................................................................14
Display Contrast .........................................................................................................14
Maximum Wait for Dial Tone........................................................................................14
No Answer Time Out...................................................................................................14
Backlight Time Out......................................................................................................14
Audible Alert...............................................................................................................14
Phone Lists (for Responders)..........................................................................................15
Loading Tests ................................................................................................................16
Loading ALTS Test Templates for the First Time..............................................................16

49100-0923-01 V2.0 SAGE INSTRUMENTS
Section 3 Using the 923LTS 17
Test Steps in Brief..........................................................................................................17
Field Testing Prerequisites .............................................................................................17
Connecting to the Line Under Test................................................................................ 17
RJ Connections..............................................................................................................17
Ground Connection........................................................................................................17
How to Perform a Test or Test Suite.............................................................................18
How to Perform a 100 or 102 Test................................................................................19
Aborting a Test ..............................................................................................................19
Viewing Test Results.....................................................................................................19
Viewing Results on the 923LTS.......................................................................................20
Test ID Screen............................................................................................................20
Test Call Screen.........................................................................................................21
Call Back Screen ........................................................................................................21
Test Measurement Details..............................................................................................21
23 Tones Measurement Data.......................................................................................21
Updating Test Suites .....................................................................................................22
Automatic Test Updates .................................................................................................22
Manually Updating Tests................................................................................................22
Using the 923LTS as a Telephone................................................................................22
Section 4 Technical Support 25
923LTS Technical Support............................................................................................25
Internet Support..........................................................................................................25
Frequently Asked Questions .........................................................................................25
Why does the display light go out?..................................................................................25
Why does the 923LTS automatically shut off?..................................................................25
Failing Battery Power..................................................................................................25
Does the 923LTS need to be calibrated?.........................................................................26
How can I restore the original defaults?...........................................................................26
Cold Boot ...................................................................................................................26
Confirming a Successful Cold Boot ..............................................................................26
What are the 923LTS’ default settings?...........................................................................26
Interfaces ...................................................................................................................27
Environment ...............................................................................................................27
Phone Lists................................................................................................................27
Sage 923LTS Warranty.................................................................................................28
Product Warranty...........................................................................................................28
Limitation Of Warranty....................................................................................................28
Exclusive Remedies .......................................................................................................28
Repaired Products Warranty...........................................................................................28
Shipping Instructions ......................................................................................................28

Section 1 Introduction
The Sage Instruments 923LTS
The Sage 923LTS is the field component of the Sage Automated Local
Loop Test System (ALTS). The 923LTS initiates loop qualification and
benchmark tests between a subscriber site (or any two-wire access
point) and a Sage responder located with the telephone equipment at
the central office. The Sage 950RTS (or the Sage 356Eplus) performs
farend responder functions for the 923LTS.
The 923LTS is designed to be portable and durable, and can function
just like a telephone handset.
The 923LTS comes equipped to perform 100 and 102 test line
measurements, and performs Perceptual Speech Quality Measurement
(PSQM)tests.
Automated Local Loop Test System
(ALTS)
The Automated Local Loop Test System (ALTS) is designed to automatically test local
loops. Tests are useful to confirm proper line installation, and to monitor ongoing
performance.
ALTS has two components:
1. the Sage 923LTS hand-held unit used in the field
2. a Sage 950RTS (or 356Eplus) responder located in the central office.
A local subscriber can be served by a copper loop, a hybrid fiber coax loop, cable, or a
wireless loop. The 923LTS initiates tests, and displays results immediately upon
completion. Once a test is selected on the 923LTS, it runs automatically. Test templates
installed on the responder determine which tests the 923LTS performs, and each test’s
pass or fail criteria.
The Sage ALTS system can:
•Test transmission characteristics (e.g., loop voltage, ring voltage, call back
verification, connect time)
•Perform a 23 Tones test (e.g., attenuation distortion, 2-wire envelope delay distortion,
signal to noise, intermodulation distortion)
•Measure noise and delay (e.g., C-message, C-notched, absolute delay)
•Perform voice quality measurements (using PSQM)
•Perform 100 and 102 test line measurements
•Measure echo return loss

69100-0923-01 V2.0 SAGE INSTRUMENTS
Automated Local Loop Tests
The Sage 923LTS performs tests (individually or as part of a test suite) based on the test
templates supplied by the Sage responder. These local loop test suites may include the
following:
•Ring voltage and frequency
•3-Tone Gain Slope
•C-Measure Noise
•C-Notch Noise
•Return Loss
•3kHz Flat Noise
•Phase and Amplitude Jitter
•Impulse Noise and Hits and Droupouts
•23 Tones
•Level
•23 Tone Loss
•Envelope Delay Distortion
•Signal-to-Noise
•Signal-to-TotalDistortion
•IntermodulationDistortion
•Perceptual Speech Quality Measurement (PSQM)
Other Tests
The 923LTS may come equipped with other tests that do not require an ALTS responder.
They provide detailed results that can be viewed only on the 923LTS (i.e., results are not
collected in the ALTS database). Built-in tests may include:
100 Responder Noise Measurement
The 100 responder noise measurement operates with a type 100 quiet termination test
line.
102 Responder Loss Measurement
The 102 responder loss test operates with the type 100 milliwatt test line.
Perceptual Speech Quality Measurement (PSQM)
The built-in PSQM test operates with a Sage PSQM responder.

SAGE INSTRUMENTS 9100-0923-01 V2.0 7
The 923LTS Test Environment
Use the Sage 923LTS hand-held unit in the field to connect to the line being tested. The
Interface can be at a customer premises or at any two-wire access point. The 923LTS
can connect to customers served by:
•copper loop
•hybrid fiber coax loop
•wireless loop
Using menus on the 923LTS, the technician selects the test or test suite, and then
initiates a call to the farend responder (either the Sage 950RTS or 356Eplus). The Sage
responder contains instructions for the test sequence, and each test’s pass/fail
parameters. The selected test runs automatically. At the conclusion of the test, the
923LTS displays an immediate, overall pass/fail notification.
Using menus on the 923LTS, the technician can view the detailed results of each portion
of the test. During the test, the technician can listen to the dial tone, progress tones, and
other audible sounds. Typically, a test suite takes less than a minute to complete.
The 923LTS stores the results of the 10 most recent tests. Complete test data is stored
on the responder.
Customer’s
Network
Interface
Central Office
Sage 950RTS
Responder
RJ Connectors
cooper
hybrid fiber coax
cable
wireless loop

89100-0923-01 V2.0 SAGE INSTRUMENTS

Calibrating
Please wait . . .
Battery: zzzzzzzzz
Section 2 Getting Started
Unpacking
In addition to this User’s Guide, the following items should arrive with your 923LTS
system:
•923LTS hand-held unit
•AC adapter/power cord
•Connector cable (RJ-48 plug on one end, RJ-11 plug on the other end)
•Banana plug to alligator clip ground cable
Options
Additional items may be included with your shipment:
•RJ-48 to alligator clips cable/adapter
•RS-232cable
•padded case with belt loop
•Sage Instruments 923LTS Automated Local Loop Testing System Quick
Reference Guide (a laminated card)
Charging the Batteries
WARNING: Use only the AC/DC transformer supplied with the 923LTS to charge the
batteries. Other transformers may damage the
923LTS, and void the warranty.
Initial Charge
The 923LTS comes with rechargeable batteries
installed at the factory. Before using the
923LTS for the first time, charge the batteries for two hours.
Do not turn on the 923LTS while the batteries charge for the first time.
3. Make sure the 923LTS is off (i.e., the display is blank and dark).
4. Plug the AC adapter power cord into a 110V AC outlet.
5. Plug in the cord from the AC adapter into the power port on the bottom of the
923LTS. Leave the power cord plugged in for at least two hours to allow the
batteries to fully charge.
Recharging
Each time the 923LTS is turned on, the system checks the batteries.
To fully recharge the battery:
1. Turn off the 923LTS.

10 9100-0923-01 V2.0 SAGE INSTRUMENTS
Sage Instruments
923LTS 1.1400
Self Test Passed
Hit Next to Continue
2. Plug in the AC adapter to a 110V AC outlet.
3. Plug in the cord from the AC adapter to the power connector on the 923LTS.
4. Allow the 923LTS to charge for two hours.
NOTE:You can use the 923LTS while it is connected to the AC adapter unless it is being
charged for the very first time.
To ensure that the battery is fully charged:
1. Turn off the 923LTS.
2. Disconnect the AC adapter from the 923LTS.
3. Turn on the 923LTS and note the indicator bars during the booting process.
Indicator bars reach across the full display when the batteries are fully charged.
Viewing the Display
The viewing area on the 923LTS displays alphabetic and numeric information on four
rows, 20 characters wide. Navigate the screens
and menu selections using the keypad.
At any time, press the INFO key to display help
text or directions.
Special Screen Display Characters
Arrows
An Û(up) or Ü(down) arrow in the upper
right corner of the display indicates that
additional selections or data are available
on other screens. The number next to the
arrow indicates which screen is currently
displayed. Use the porqkey as indicated
inthe display tosee more selections.
Blinking Cursor
The blinking cursor indicates an active field waiting for data entry from the keypad.
< Bracketed Selection >
Brackets indicate the active selection or field. An option enclosed in angle brackets is the
default or last option that was chosen. Bracketed options appear on numbered lists as
well as F1 and F2 function key selections.
In numbered lists with multiple screens, the bracketed option might not appear on the
currently displayed screen. Use the porqkeys to locate the bracketed option.
To select the bracketed option, press NEXT.
The NEXT key advances to the next screen based on the bracketed option, even when
the bracketed option is not on the current screen.
Test Select 1 Ü
1:<23Tone-10>
2:All Domestic
3:Modem Qual
brackets indicate the
selected item
press
qq
for more
selections