User's Guide

66 A c l a r a R F E l e c t r i c I - 2 1 0 + c U s e r G u i d e
Trace Route
Site Testing
Tools Required:
• A portable spectrum analyzer with real-time signal capture
Procedure:
1. Tune the spectrum analyzer to filter all unlicensed channels in the 450-470
MHz spectrum.
2. Use the trace route command to ping the meter as described above.
3. Observe the blip that represents a power transmission from the DCU on the
DCU Tx channel, and the blip that represents the response on one of the Rx
channels.
4. Use the signal analyzer to record the signal strengths and your location.
5. Take measurements for this meter at other locations as desired.
6. If a communication problem is believed to exist at the location, some
consultation with Aclara personnel may be necessary to identify a suitable
course of action.
Testing Communication with a Meter in the Meter Shop
The Service And Diagnostic test Tool may be used to test a particular NIC with a
particular DCU. This is particularly useful where the meter has been pulled from
the field, and a dedicated DCU has been installed in the meter shop area. A utility
may also wish to experiment with the product before deploying it in the field.
When experimenting with the TraceRoute feature in the meter shop, the response
RSSI level reported by the DCU should fall within a normal range (as determined
by experience) to indicate that the NIC antenna is properly connected inside the
meter assembly.
Whenever a meter is powered up, powered down, and experimented with in the
meter shop, the Service and Diagnostic Tool should be used to decommission the
unit prior to deployment in the field. Failure to decommission the unit could cause
alarms generated in the meter shop to be reported after the unit is placed in the
field. It can also cause the subsequent installation of the meter to be reported by the
hardware as an extended power failure and restoration event to the headend.