What is UTSC? – Upstream Triggered Spectrum Capture

Return Path Monitoring for DAA

In Distributed Access Architecture (DAA) deployments, a UTSC application becomes essential, as there is no longer an RF signal returning to the headend.

UTSC, or Upstream Triggered Spectrum Capture, offers versatile operational modes. It can run continuously, capturing spectrum samples without interruption. However, its functionality is enhanced when integrated with a Converged Cable Access Platform (CCAP) that has knowledge of the DOCSIS scheduler. With this synergy, captures can be triggered based on specific criteria, such as detecting idle channels. This capability allows network operators to observe noise occurring under a carrier, serving as an illustrative example. While not all trigger modes outlined in the specifications are universally implemented by CCAP vendors, the support for continuous, free-running operation forms the foundation for a UTSC return path monitoring system.

When deploying a CCAP and Remote PHY Device (RPD) to capture spectrum, a UTSC application can concurrently collect standard DOCSIS channel performance metrics, including RxMER, codeword counters, and FEC counters. This dual functionality enables technicians to detect interference within the spectrum while monitoring its impact on channel performance. In the case of OFDMA channels, the DOCSIS metrics also furnish a per-data In-Channel Usable Carriers (IUC) breakdown, highlighting the influence of impairments on each of the modulation profiles in use.

UTSC

  • Upstream Triggered Spectrum Capture (UTSC)
  • Included in the DOCSIS specifications
  • Uses SNMP to configure the CCAP (CMTS) to start an FFT in the RPD
  • The RPD sends back return spectrum data to either:
  • The CCAP, which relays this data to the PNM server or
  • The RPD will send the data directly to the PNM server
  • The PNM server converts the raw data into a spectrum display

Cool features of Software + UTSC

  • Sky is unlimited as we can overlay lots of stats
  • Overlay MER, Pre & Post FEC
  • Mobile apps
  • Plot over time

You went high-split? (204 MHz). So does UTSC

  • And you can see potential noise issues before you deploy
  • Pre-test your high frequency spectrum