Trilithic Two User manual

Model Two and
Model Two Lite
Signal Level Meters
OPERATION
MANUAL
Trilithic Model Two Lite Specs
Provided by www.AAATesters.com

ModelTwo& ModelTwoLite-OperationManual
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Trilithic Company Profile
Trilithic isa privatelyheldmanufacturer foundedin 1986asan engineeringand assembly
companythat builtand designed customer-directedproducts fortelecommunications, militaryand
industrialcustomers. From itsmodest beginningsas a two-manengineering team,Trilithic grew
overthe years andbroadenedits offerings ofRF and microwavecomponentsby adding
broadbandsolutions to itsproductline. This wasaccomplishedwith the aquisitionof components
manufacturerCir-Q-TelandinstrumentsmanufacturerTexscan.
Today,Trilithicis anindustry leader providingtelecommunications solutionsfor majorbroadband,
RFand microwave marketsaround theworld.Asan ISO9000:2001 certified companywith over
40years of collective expertisein engineering and customassembly,Trilithic isdedicatedto
providingquality products,services andcommunicationssolutionsthatexceed customer
expectations.
Trilithic is comprisedof three major divisions:
•Broadband Instruments & Systems
Offerstest, analysisand qualitymanagement solutionsforthemajorcable television
systemsworldwide.
•RF Microwave Components
Providescomponentsand customsubsystemsfor companiesspecializing incellular,
militaryand otherwirelessapplications.
•Emergency Alert Systems
Leadingsupplier ofgovernment-mandatedemergency alertsystems used byHFC service

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Table of Contents
1. General Information..............................................................................................................6
HelpfulWebsite .....................................................................................................................6
Whereto GetTechnicalSupport.............................................................................................6
Howthis Manualis Organized ................................................................................................7
ConventionsUsedinthisManual ...........................................................................................7
Precautions ...........................................................................................................................8
2. Introduction...........................................................................................................................9
Overview ...............................................................................................................................9
Equipment ...........................................................................................................................10
Model Two & Model Two Lite Feature Comparison ..............................................................11
Tilt andFavorite GroupDisplay.......................................................................................12
SingleChannel Display ..................................................................................................12
SingleChannelSpectrum ...............................................................................................12
ScanDisplay..................................................................................................................12
SpectrumDisplay ...........................................................................................................12
Carrier-To-Noise(C/N) ...................................................................................................12
DigitalChannel Measurement.........................................................................................12
Data Logging .................................................................................................................13
LimitTest........................................................................................................................13
AutoTestPrograms........................................................................................................13
Voltmeter........................................................................................................................13
File Saving, Viewing.......................................................................................................13
FilePrinting....................................................................................................................13
3. Walkthrough........................................................................................................................14
IdentifyComponents ............................................................................................................14
Key Pad .........................................................................................................................15
NavigatingFunctions ......................................................................................................17
Display Screen Description ............................................................................................19
BatteryCharging..................................................................................................................20
4. Setup ...................................................................................................................................21
Information...........................................................................................................................22
General................................................................................................................................22
Backlight ........................................................................................................................22
LCD Contrast .................................................................................................................23
ShutdownTime...............................................................................................................23
TemperatureUnit ............................................................................................................23
Date & Time ...................................................................................................................24

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PrintSetup .....................................................................................................................25
LCD Test........................................................................................................................26
Upgrade.........................................................................................................................26
Measurement.......................................................................................................................27
Transmission ..................................................................................................................27
LevelUnits .....................................................................................................................27
SingleFrequency Setup .................................................................................................28
Limit Setup.....................................................................................................................29
ResetMax Hold..............................................................................................................31
PriorMenu .....................................................................................................................31
ChannelPlan .......................................................................................................................31
SelectUser Plan ............................................................................................................31
ChannelNumbers...........................................................................................................31
LearnUser Plan .............................................................................................................31
EditUserPlan ................................................................................................................33
Tilt/LevelList...................................................................................................................36
LoadDefaults.................................................................................................................37
PriorMenu .....................................................................................................................37
5. Basic Operation ..................................................................................................................38
FastSetup...........................................................................................................................38
SingleChannel LevelTesting ...............................................................................................39
TVChannels...................................................................................................................39
SingleChannelSpectrum ...............................................................................................41
Single FrequencyChannels ............................................................................................42
Digital Channels .............................................................................................................43
DualAudioChannels ......................................................................................................44
FrequencyMode..................................................................................................................45
ChannelSpectrum Scanning ................................................................................................46
Display Limits.................................................................................................................48
LimitTesting ........................................................................................................................48
FrequencySpectrumScanning ............................................................................................51
Carrier-To-NoiseMeasurement............................................................................................53
TiltandFavoriteChannel......................................................................................................54
BatteryandTrunkVoltageMeasurement ..............................................................................55
6.Advanced Operation...........................................................................................................56
Transmission CharacteristicTest .........................................................................................56
AutoTest .............................................................................................................................60
LevelParameters ...........................................................................................................63
SpectrumParameters ....................................................................................................63
Limit Parameters............................................................................................................64

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Tilt Parameters ...............................................................................................................65
FileSaving, Viewing, and Printing........................................................................................70
Saving a Test Record to a File........................................................................................70
Viewing and Printing File Records..................................................................................72
AutoTestRecords ..........................................................................................................76
PrinterConnection ...............................................................................................................78
SerialPrinter ..................................................................................................................79
ParallelPrinter................................................................................................................80
7. Specifications .....................................................................................................................81
WarrantyInformation..................................................................................................................83

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Helpful Website
Thefollowing websitecontains generalinformationwhich maybe ofinterest toyou:
http://www.trilithic.com
Trilithic’swebsite containsproduct specificationsand information, tips,release information,
marketinginformation, FrequentlyAskedQuestions(FAQs),bulletinsand othertechnical
information.You canalsocheck thiswebsitefor productupdates.
Where to Get Technical Support
Trilithic technicalsupport isavailableMonday throughFridayfrom 8:00AMto5:00PM EST.
Callersin NorthAmerica can dial1-317-895-3600 or 1-800-344-2412(tollfree). International
callersshould dial 1-317-895-3600 orfax questions to 1-317-895-3613.Youcanalso e-mail
technicalsupport at [email protected].
Forquicker support responsewhen calling orsendinge-mail, pleaseprovidethe following
information:
• Your nameandyourcompanyname
• Thetechnical pointof contact(name,phone number,e-mail)
• TheModelTwoserial number,firmware andhardware versionnumbers
• Adetailed descriptionofthe problemyouare having,including any erroror information
messages
1.GeneralInformation 
1

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How this Manual is Organized
Thismanual isdividedinto thefollowing chapters:
• Chapter1, “GeneralInformation” providesTrilithic contactinformation anddescribes how
thisOperationManualisstructured.
• Chapter2, “Introduction”introduces theequipment andfeatures oftheModelTwoand
ModelTwoLite.
• Chapter3, “Walkthrough” describesthe componentsofthe ModelTwoand ModelTwoLite.
• Chapter4, “Setup” describes thestepsneededtoperform the setupofthe ModelTwo and
ModelTwoLite.
• Chapter5,“BasicOperation” describes how to use the basic features of ModelTwo and
ModelTwoLite.
• Chapter6, “Advanced Operation”describeshow to usethe advanced featuresofModel
Twoand ModelTwoLite.
• Chapter7, “Specifications” shows thetechnical specifications of theModelTwo andModel
TwoLite.
Conventions Used in this Manual
Thismanualhasseveralstandardconventionsforpresentinginformation.
•Connections,Menus, menuoptions,and userentered textandcommands appearin bold.
• Section names, Web and email addresses appear in italics.
Note: Note: A note is information that will be of assistance to you
relatedto thecurrentstep orprocedure.
CAUTION:A cautionalertsyou toany condition thatcouldcause a
mechanicalfailure or potentialloss of data.
WARNING:Awarning alertsyoutoany conditionthatcould cause
personalinjury.

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Precautions
WARNING:Themaximuminput voltageto the meter is100 V
(AC or DC).Alarger voltage will damage the meter.
CAUTION: Theaccuracy of themeter may beaffected when inastrong
electromagneticfield.
CAUTION: Donot use theModelTwoinanymanner notrecommended
bythemanufacturer.
WARNING: Thebattery MUST bechargedwith theTrilithic charge cube
providedwith the ModelTwo.Usinganyother chargecubemay damage
thebattery.

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Overview
Congratulations!You now ownTrilithic’s Model Two Signal Level Meter.Thisinstrument is
designedto provide youwithoptimal features forreduced cost.
Amplitudemeasurements arefast and efficient.Carrier amplitudesaredisplayed singly, as a
group(up to12“favorites”), oras a full-spandisplay.This product alsofeatures asingle-channel
SpectrumMode, which displays thepresence of interferingbeatsin additiontothe carrier
amplitudes.The unitletsyou takethe directpowermeasurement ofQAMsignals, carrier-to-noise
measurements,data logging,and alsosupports avoltmeter function.
5user-defined channel plansmay be stored,andthe ModelTwocan performacomplete testofall
channelsin the selectedUserChannel Plan tospecifiedlimits atthe press ofasingle key. It can
alsobe set toautomatically perform Level,Spectrum,Tilt(Favorite),and Limittestsat
programmedintervalsunattended.
TheModelTwo cansave files forLevel,Tilt,Spectrum,Scan, LimitTest, andAutoTest
measurements.Thesefiles can berecalled to displaytherecorded data,or Scan, Spectrum,and
Limit files can be viewed graphically. The Model Two also makes it easy to obtain a hard copy of
installationdata ordocumentationof aproblemvia itsprinter function.
Theunit istheideal signallevelmeter forHFC installations. Itis durable, hasmany features,andis
simpleto use inawide range ofconditions. Its tough,plasticshell and protectivejacketmake the
ModelTwohighly resistanttodamagefrom shockandimpact.Whennot inuse,the unitandits
accessories are contained in a carrying case.
TheModelTwo isruggedand convenienttouse. Itweighsonly 1.5poundsand canbecarried and
operatedwith onehand.Allmeasurement functionsare accessible viaa singlekeystroke,and,
withthe Fast Setupfunction,settings foreachmeasurement mode canbe accessed atthepress
ofa singlekey withoutgoing throughnested menus.Other functionsaresimplifiedthoughthe
combinationof dedicatedfunctionkeys and“softkeys”.
2.Introduction 
2

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Equipment
TheModelTwocomes withthe following:
• ModelTwoSignal LevelMeter
• CarryingCase
• Strap(for Carrying Case)
• ProtectiveBumper
• Built-in3.6 V / 3.5AHNi-MH Battery
• UniversalCharger
• OperationManual
Thefollowing optionsarealso available:
• Holster(P/N 2130854000)
• Leather Case - sleeve (P/N 2130856000)
• Software Kit - includes data cable (P/N 0930089000)
• Data Cable (P/N 2071351000)
• Serial Printer Cable (P/N 2071352000)
• ParallelPrinterAdapter (P/N 0440214000)
• Cigarette ChargerAdapter (P/N 2071483000)
• ReplacementBattery (P/N 0090046000)
• ReplacementCharger (P/N 0610165000)
• ReplacementF-connector (0200579000)
Formore information,pleasecontactTrilithic atwww.trilithic.com or1-800-344-2412.

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Model Two & Model Two Lite Feature Comparison
Someof the functionsdescribedin this manualare not availableinthe ModelTwoLite.A
comparisonofthe features includedin the ModelTwoLite vs. theModelTwo,is shownin the
followingchart.
Note: The Model Two Lite can be easily upgraded to a Model Two by
contactingTrilithicTechnical Supportat1-800-344-2412.
Feature: Model Two Lite: Model Two:
Tilt & Favorite Group Display X X
Single Chan. Display X X
Single Chan. Spectrum X
Scan Display X X
Spectrum Display 5-65 MHz 5-870 MHz
Carrier/Noise (C/N) X
Dig. Chan. Measurement X X
Data Logging X
Limit Test X
Auto Test Programs X
Voltmeter Function X X
File Saving, Viewing X
File Printing X

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Tilt and Favorite Group Display
Press TILT to displaya graph showing theamplitudes of uptotwelve user-selected video
carriers.This displayalsoshows thecalculated difference inamplitude (tilt)betweenthe
highestand lowestchannelsin theuser-selectedgroup. Press TILT again, andthe ModelTwo
displaysa numeric listthat shows theamplitudes ofthecarriers inthegroup.
SingleChannelDisplay
Whentuned to asingle channel, theModelTwodisplays bargraphs for thevideo and audio
carriers.It alsoshowsnumeric readoutsofthe carrieramplitudesand V/Adifference.
SingleChannelSpectrum
TheModelTwo can alsoprovide a spectraldisplay oftheselected channelincluding
intermodulationproducts orother undesiredsignalsthat maybe present.
Scan Display
PressSCAN todisplay the full spanofvideo and audiocarriersin the selectedUserChannel
Plan.This mode isuseful to makea quick checkof your system’soverall flatness and
amplitude.Up to 5 UserPlansmay be stored.
Amplitudelimits canbe imposed onthedisplay.Byusingthe ModelTwo’sfrequency marker,
youcan zoomin onany suspectchannelthat appearsin thedisplay.
SpectrumDisplay
PressSPECT to display thespectrum measurements withfrequency spansfrom2.5 MHzto
62.5MHzorafull-spectrumscan.
Carrier-To-Noise (C/N)
PressC/N tomeasure the C/N ratioofthe CATVtransmissionsystem.
DigitalChannelMeasurement
TheModelTwo includesa special single-channelmode youcanuse tomeasure theactual
powerof aQAMsignal. Thesingle-channel spectrumdisplayshows theactual shapeofthe
modulation“haystack”. Thisfeatureprovidesyouwithapowerfultoolfor checkingin-channel
flatnessor mismatchesthatmight affectdigitaltransmissionquality.

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DataLogging
TheModel Twohas the capabilityto storetheamplitudes of allvideoand audio carriers (upto
150channels). Thesedatarecords canbe captured innonvolatile memoryandlater recalled
or uploaded to your PC for record keeping.
Eachrecord carries the time,date,and other ModelTwoinformationat the time therecord is
saved.
Limit Test
TheModelTwo canperform a completetest ofallchannels inthe selected UserChannel Plan
tospecified limitsatthe touch ofasingle key.Allchannels arelistedwith Pass or Failresults,
andthe usermay selectany channelto reviewitsindividualtestresults. Inaddition, resultsfor
theentire channel plan,such as MaximumΔVideoand Maximum Δ AdjacentChannel, are
seenon thetest-resultdisplay.
AutoTest Programs
TheModelTwo canbe set toautomatically performLevel,Spectrum,Tilt(Favorite),and Limit
testsinusersettable timeincrements.This makestheModelTwoideal forperforming
required24-hour tests.TheModelTwo maybe set toprint thestoredtest resultsautomatically
aftermeasurement,orthe file canbeviewed, printed, oruploadedto a PClater.
Voltmeter
TheModelTwo isequippedwith abuilt-in voltmeter thatcan be usedfor troubleshooting power
suppliesor power drops.TheModelTwo displaysthevoltagewitha bar graphandnumeric
readout. It can accommodateAC or DC voltages up to 100 Volts.
FileSaving, Viewing
TheModelTwocan saverecordsfrom Level,Tilt(FavoriteChannels group),Spectrum, Scan,
orLimit Test measurementseitherto individual filesorall to onefile.Thesefiles can be
recalledtodisplay the recorded data,and Scan,Spectrum,and Limit graphics canbeviewed.
Allfiles may be uploadedto a PC withtheToolbox softwareforanalysis and storage.
FilePrinting
TheModelTwo hasaprint function thatmakesit easytoconnect to aprinterfor a hardcopy of
measurementdata andreports.This isuseful forobtainingan instanthard copyofyour
installationor todocumenta problem.

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3.Walkthrough 
3
Nowthat you haveyourModelTwooutofitsbox,takeafew momentsto look itoverand become
familiarwith itscontrols.
Identify Components
TheModelTwo’sfunction buttonsandbacklit LCDdisplayare onthefront panel.Theunit’scharge
socketand printer interfacesocketare on thebottom.The RF “F”connectoris on thetop of the
unit.The belt clipis located ontheback oftheunit.
Note: Thethin protective filmlayer usedtoprotect thedisplayduring
shippingshould beremoved.
Note: Your ModelTwo’sbattery may need to becharged(see Battery
Charging on Page 20).
Key Pad PC/ PrinterInterface
Charge Socket
ConnectorsLocated Under
RubberCover on Bottomof
Device
LCD Display
withBacklight
RF“F” Connector

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Key Pad
Thekey padconsistsofthe variousbuttonsto accesstheModelTwo’sfunctions.There are
elevenfunctionbuttons,twoarrow buttons(up,down),thepower on/offbuttonandthree“soft
buttons”thatenableyoutoperformfunctionsinthedisplay.
SoftButtons
11 Primary and
SecondaryFunction
Buttons
ON/OFF
Button
PowerCharge
Indicator
ArrowButtons
Soft Buttons
F1, F2 andF3 are used to accessvarious functions withinthedisplay menus. Onspecific
displays,three boxes appearatthe bottom ofthedisplay.These boxes correspondtothe
threesoftkeys andprovideadditional commands suchas ENTER, EXIT, SCALE, REF,
movementarrows, etc.(See theindividualfunction displaysfor moreinformation.)
FREQ MAX T

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Function Buttons
Thefollowing isa listof thefunction buttons:
Power ON / OFF
UsethePOWER ON / OFF buttonto turn thedeviceon and off.
Arrow Buttons
Use the UP andDOWN buttons tochangevalues withinafunction display.
Key Function #Purpose
AUTO 1 Enter Auto Test Mode
TILT 2 Enter Tilt Measurement Mode
LIMIT 3 Enter Limit Test Mode
LEVEL 4 Enter Single Channel / Frequency
Measurement Mode
SCAN 5 Enter Channel Spectrum
Scanning Mode
SPECT 6 Enter Frequency Spectrum
Scanning Mode
SET 7 Use for Fast Setup or
Main Setup Menu
FILE 8 Save or Recall Measurement Files
C/N 9 Enter Carrier-to-Noise Ratio
Measurement Mode
FCN 0 Puts the key pad into alphanumeric mode
for entering numbers or letters
VOLT . Check Voltage
(battery and power supply / drop)

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NavigatingFunctions
Severalmethods are usedto navigate theModelTwo’sfunctions.For some procedures,use
UP and DOWN to make changes within a specific screen such as to increase or decrease
values.
To scroll througha specificdisplay’smenutopics, yougenerallyuse thedesignatedsoft
buttons(usuallyF2andF3).
Entering Numeric Values
Within several displays,you must enternumeric values. Press FCN toputthekey padinits
secondaryfunction mode,then pressthe numberbuttons toenter thedesiredvalue.For
example,to enterthe number12:
Press + +
Thenpress F1,thesoftbutton forENTER,toenterthe valueinto theModelTwo.
Entering Alphanumeric Characters
Similarly,youmustenteralphanumeric dataonseveralscreens, suchas Filenames,
Channellabels, andAutoTest programnames.As before, youpressFCN to put thekey
padinto itssecondaryfunction mode,then pressthebuttons toenter thedesiredvalue.
Whenyou pressa buttoninfunction mode,the firstentry isthenumber associatedwith the
button,afterwhichyoupressthesamebuttonrepeatedly toscroll throughthe letters
associatedwith thebutton.To entera secondletter ornumberusing adifferentbutton, you
cango directlyto thesecondbuttonforentry.Ifyou wanttoenter asecond letteror number
usingthe same buttonas the precedingcharacter, you mustpress theDOWN arrowto shift
theModelTwocontrol toa newnumberor letter.

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Forexample, toenter“TEST” intheName field,do the following:
1. Press toswitchto function mode.
2. Press + + to enter “T” in the field.
3. Press + + to enter “E” in the field.
4. Press + to enter “S” in the field
5. Press toshiftto anewentry withthesame key.
6. Press + + to enter “T” in the field.
Tip: Ifyou make an errorwhen entering a numberora name, youcanpress F2 togo
backandthen re-enter it. PressF3 toescape from the operation.

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Display Screen Description
Eachdisplay containsthefollowing sectionsor features.
Time - Displays unit’s time based on time set up parameter (see Date & Time on Page 24).
Battery charge -Shows the approximate percentageof remaining batterycharge.Flashes
whenthe chargedropsbelow 10%.
User Plan -Indicatesthe selectedUserChannel Plan.
Display Indicator -Indicates which functionis being used.
Main Display Screen -Displaysthe parameters andgraphsof the selectedfunction.
F1, F2, F3 -Indicates thefunctionof thesoftbuttonsin the selectedModelTwomode.
MainDisplay
Screen
Time Battery
User
Plan Display Indicator
F1 F2 F3
Note: Thesoft buttonsvary fromfunction tofunctiononthemeter
(see Soft Buttons on Page 15).

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Battery Charging
TheModelTwo has abuilt-in 3.6 V/ 3.5AHNi-MHbattery.Whenfullycharged, itcanbe usedfor
oversix hours.When thebatterycharge dropsbelow 10%,the batterysymbol flashesinthe
informationline at thetop of thedisplay screen. Ifthecharge dropsbelow 5%,the ModelTwo
shutsoffautomaticallytoprotectthebattery.YoucannotturntheModelTwoon againuntilyou
rechargethebattery.
To charge theModelTwo’sbattery,connectthe chargecubeto the chargesocket on thebottom of
the Model Two (see Identify Components on Page 14) and plug the charger into anAC outlet.
Whilecharging, the ModelTwodisplay indicates thecharging mode witha charging curveand
displaysan approximate percentageof charge.Theelapsedchargingtime is alsodisplayed.Afull
chargewill beachieved inlessthan 3hours, afterwhichtheModelTwowill shutoffautomatically.
Whenthe batterycharge istoolow forthe ModelTwoto turnon, butyouneed touse theunit
immediately
1. Plugthecharge cubeinto the ModelTwo.
2. Whenthecharging screen appears,press softkeyF1 topermit ModelTwo operation.
WARNING: Thebattery MUST bechargedwith theTrilithic charge cube
providedwith the ModelTwo.Usinganyother chargecubemay damage
thebattery.
CAUTION:TheModelTwobatteries willnotcharge during operation in
thisF1 mode.Also,anychanges intheModelTwo usersettings,either
manuallyor by connectionto a PC,are not retainedin this mode(with the
chargecube connected).