As one Diamonds judge noted, the launch of LTE services has created a new set of plant problems that existing tools can't effectively measure. Hence the need for the QAM Sniffer-DM, which the judge said "promises to be an effective tool for MSO field operations to track and correct plant leakage."

The QAM Sniffer-DM works for 138 MHz measurements and 612 MHz measurements. This is important, ComSonics says, because it has found that 40% of leaks found in the upper frequency range are not detectable at 138 MHz. They are higher in power level than those found in the low frequency spectrum.The use of a high frequency detector, however, has been shown to provide 95% leak detection coverage, the company says. Since the QAM sniffer can cover both the FAA frequencies and the upper frequency band used by the cable system, operators can be assured of optimal coverage while minimizing power level correlation issues, ComSonics says.www.comsonics.comSee them at Cable-Tec Expo, Booth 550Return to the BTR Diamond Technology Reviews Elite.