Performing a Type 102 Milliwatt calibration?

[KrisBoutilier]

I'm trying to calibrate gains across a Channel Bank and through some devices on a private network. I have been given access to a 'Milliwatt' test line at my serving office - now I just need to understand how to use it effectively.

Am I correct in understanding that the 0dBm source should provide a 100% drive on my channels at all the test points when everything is turned up correctly?

Any background info appreciated.

 

[SYQUEST]

The 'Milliwatt' test line is fine for setting up channel alignment ONLY for lines terminating on the same office switch. And this is only one direction! You also need a tone source for the prem-to-CO direction and for any circuit that does not connect to a CO switch, ie a TIMMS or CAT(channel access testset). Some Channel banks provide a tone source for channel level alignments of the channel units. When I set up circuits I used a CAT & TIMMS, this way I could monitor the "digital level" in both directions and be sure my TLPs were always correct. When working with "Telco" this is a must or use to be... I use to turn up lots of Paging DID trunks and analogue data ckts on NT D4E channel banks. Depending on the make of channel bank & units would determine what TLP reference you would use. NT's TLP was different than AT&T's or Wescom's. This is why I used both tests units so I could monitor at the "digital level" for 0dB for voice ckts and -13.0dB for data.

The practices for your channel bank & units should provide something similar as far as a set up procedure. What model is your channel bank?

Hope this helps!

....JIM....

 

[bikechuck]

many channel banks povide a digital MW for cal. purposes.Usually its just a dip switch and it will put 0dbm on all channels.

 

[KrisBoutilier]

I will have to investigate further I think. I'm using an old Newbridge/Alcatel Mainstreet 3624 - it doesn't have an internal mW source but does have gain adjustment controls in Transmission Level Points (TLP). To muddy the waters further I also have gain adjusts (in db, not mW) on the PBX side of the T1...

I can also generate outbound tone from my PBX application but unfortunatly I don't have a true test/monitor set. For now I'm limited to the software level meters integrated w/the PBX.