Attenuation of a Signal | Fluke DSP-100, DSP-2000 specification

Basic Cable Testing 7

Attenuation

Attenuation

Attenuation is a decrease in the strength of a signal over the length of a cable, as shown in Figure 7-4.

Signal

Source

VIN

CableSignal Receiver

Loss

VOUT

gc30f.eps

Figure 7-4. Attenuation of a Signal

Attenuation is caused by a loss of electrical energy in the resistance of the cable wire and by leakage of energy through the cable’s insulating material. This loss of energy is expressed in decibels. Lower attenuation values correspond to better cable performance. For example, when comparing the performance of two cables at a particular frequency, a cable with an attenuation of 10 dB performs better than a cable with an attenuation of 20 dB.

Cable attenuation is determined by the cable’s construction, length, and the frequencies of the signals sent through the cable. At higher frequencies, the skin effect and the cable’s inductance and capacitance cause attenuation to increase.

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Fluke DSP-100, DSP-2000 user manual Attenuation of a Signal

Contents

DSP-100/2000 Limited Warranty & Limitation of Liability Table of Contents DSP-100/2000 Appendices DSP-100/2000 List of Tables Tests Run per Test Standard During an Autotest List of Figures Plot of NEXT, Attenuation, and the Resulting ACR Introduction Overview of Features DSP-100/2000 Standard Accessories Standard Accessories Using This Manual DSP-100/2000 International Electrical Symbols Safety and Operational Information DSP-100/2000 Using the Menus Powering the Test ToolQuick Start Key Quick Configuration Setup SettingQuick Configuration Settings Description Press ! Choice Asterisk and Test Tool Accuracy Results within Accuracy Range Autotest on Twisted Pair Cable Horizontal Cross Connect Blocks Meters Getting Started Autotest on Coaxial Cable Autotest on Coaxial Cable DSP-100 DSP-2000 Main Unit Features Main Unit Features Description Feature Standard and Smart Remote Features Remote Features Remote Connectors and Features Remote Features Rotary Switch Strap and BailOff Autotest Monitor Single Test Setup Print Turning On the Test ToolSpecial Functions Smart Remote Model DSP-100 Performing a Self-Test Selecting a Language for Displays and Reports Overvoltage Test Configuring the Test ToolNoise Test Controlling the Backlight Selecting a Power Line Filter Frequency Adjusting the Display Contrast Selecting a Test Standard and Cable Type Selecting an Average Cable Temperature Selecting a Conduit Setting Selecting a Numeric Format Selecting a Length Unit Setting the Date and Time Enabling or Disabling the Audible Tones Setting the Power-Down Timer Remote Lights, Messages, and Audible Tones Smart Remote Ready Remote End Testing Battery Status Remote Communication Error Battery Status Display Autotest Softkeys Autotest Smart Autotest Link Performance Grade Result Headroom Automatic Diagnostics Model DSP-2000 Automatic Diagnostics Model DSP-2000 Autotest Results for Twisted Pair Cable Wire Map Test Autotest Results for Twisted Pair Cable Length Resistance Characteristic Impedance Propagation Delay and Delay Skew Items on the Attenuation Results Screen Description Attenuation Gc10c.eps Items on the Next Results Screen Description Next Test Next Plot Screen Items on the Next Plot Screen Description ACR Items on the ACR Results Screen Description ACR Plot Screen Items on the ACR Plot Screen Description Items on the RL Results Screen Description Return Loss RL RL@REMOTE Model DSP-2000 Psnext Power Sum Next Model DSP-2000 Connector Autotest Results for Coaxial Cable No Reflection Anomaly Saving Autotest Results Gc15c.eps Autotest Report Automatically Incrementing the Cable Identification NameIf Memory is Full Part of an Autotest Report for Twisted Pair 10. Autotest Report for Coaxial Cable DSP-100/2000 Single Tests for Twisted Pair Cable Running Individual Tests Scanning Function When to Use a Remote Unit Remote Requirements for Cable Tests Remote Unit Test Running a Single Test on Twisted Pair Cable Running Individual Tests Running the TDX Analyzer TDX Analyzer Items on the TDX Analyzer Results Screen TDX Analyzer Results TDX Analyzer Plot TDR Test How to Terminate the Cable Running the TDR Test on Coaxial Cable Running the TDR Test on Twisted Pair Cable TDR Results Screen TDR Plot ScreenItems on a TDR Results Screen Twisted Pair Results Single Test Results for Twisted Pair Cable Wire Map Next and NEXT@REMOTEImpedance Single Tests for Coaxial Cable Return Loss RL and RL@REMOTERunning a Single Test on Coaxial Cable Single Tests for Coaxial Cable Single Test Results for Coaxial Cable Monitoring Network Activity Monitoring Network Activity DSP-100/2000 Items on the Traffic Monitor Screen Description Identifying Hub Port Connections Monitoring Impulse NoiseChanging the Impulse Noise Threshold Running the Impulse Noise Test Use Dto highlight Impulse Noise on RJ45 Determining Hub Port Capabilities Model DSP-2000 Noise Test ResultsItems on the Noise Monitor Screen Description Using the Tone Generator Model DSP-2000 Printing Test Reports Viewing and Printing Saved Reports Configuring the Serial Port Printer Interface CablePrinting Viewing and Printing Saved Reports Printing Test Reports DSP-100/2000 If the Printer Does Not Respond Viewing, Renaming, and Deleting Test Reports Calibrating the Test Tool Calibrations and Custom Test Standards Connections for Self-Calibration DSP-2000 Shown Use Dto highlight Determine Cable NVP NVP Calibration Configuring a Custom Cable Page DSP-100/2000 LAN Cable Construction Basic Cable Testing Twisted Pair Cable Construction Twisted Pair Cable 568A Coaxial Cable Construction Coaxial Cable Attenuation Attenuation of a Signal Sources of Electrical Noise Noise Characteristic Impedance Minimizing Impedance Discontinuities Crosstalk and Near-End Crosstalk Next Locating Next Problems A TDX Analyzer Plot Basic Cable Testing Split Pairs and Next Incorrect Wiring Split Pair Minimizing Crosstalk NVP and Length Measurements Nominal Velocity of Propagation NVP NVP Calibration Time Domain Reflectometry TDR Short Reflections from Opens Reflections from Other Discontinuities Reflections from Shorts Interpreting the TDR Plot Cable Termination ACR Frequency in MHz Limit in dB Finding Cable Faults Troubleshooting Basics Test Failure Identifying Cable Faults Likely Causes of Failure Identifying Cable Faults Examples of Test Displays and Plots Identifying Cable Faults Test Failure Next test fails Impedance anomaly is Detected DSP-100/2000 Cleaning and Storage Maintenance Removing the Battery in the Standard Remote Replacing the NiCad Battery Pack Removing the NiCad Battery Pack Internal Lithium Backup Battery If the Test Tool Fails Service Center Repair Symptom 2 Remote unit is not detected Troubleshooting the Test Tool Symptom 1 Display is blankSymptom 3 Test results appear to be incorrect Symptom 6 Self calibration fails Replacement Parts Replacement Parts DescriptionPart Number Service Center Calibration Period SpecificationsSelf-Calibration Period Compatibility with Remote Units Cable Types Tested Test StandardsTime for Autotest Length Test Specifications Propagation Delay TestPropagation Delay Test Specifications Length Test Next DC Loop Resistance TDX Analyzer Specifications for Cables 100m 328 ft TDR Specifications for Cables 100m 328 ftReturn Loss Model DSP-100 LAN Traffic Impulse NoiseModel DSP-2000 LAN Traffic Serial Interface 25-pin Connector PC Interface CablePC Interface Cable Connections Test Tool End DB9S female Environmental Requirements Power Input Ratings Operating Environment Specifications Weight DimensionsCertifications Memory RJ45 Connector WarrantyDisplay DSP-100/2000 Appendices Page Introduction Using DSP-LINK Installing DSP-LINK Connecting to a PCPreparing for Data Transfer Figure A-1. Connecting the Test Tool to a PC Configuring the Serial Ports Communication Problems Detailed Test Data Quick Plot DSP-LINK Functions DSP-100/2000 Table A-3. Formats for Uploaded Reports Courier Point Size Formatting Hints for Uploaded Reports Getting Software Updates from Fluke Downloading New Test Standards Downloading New Software 10Base2 10BaseT100BaseTX Broadband Signaling Baseband SignalingAuto-Negotiation Bandwidth Channel CapacitanceCollision Crossed Pair CSV Data CrosstalkDownload EIA 568A Horizontal Cabling Hardware Flow ControlHorizontal Cross-Connect Impedance Discontinuity Link Pulse Propagation DelayNear-End Crosstalk Next Packet RJ45 Reversed PairRunt Packet Screened Twisted Pair ScTP TDXä Split PairTerminator Token Ring XON/XOFF Flow Control DSP-100/2000 Tests Run per Test Standard During an Autotest Next Tests Run per Test Standard During an Autotest C Prop. Return Loss Delay2 Delay Skew2 TP-PMD Return Loss Prop Delay2 Delay Skew2 DSP-100/2000 Index DSP-LINK Next DSP-100/2000 Index DSP-100/2000 Manual Supplement Change #1 Wire Map Displays Displayed Schematic Description Wire Map Condition Wire map display showing an open on pair 1 Wire map display showing a split pair on pairs 1, 2 and 3 Change #3