[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 11]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR1755.405]

[Page 521-524]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
    CHAPTER XVII--RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 1755--TELECOMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 1755.405  Voiceband data transmission measurements.

    (a) The data transmission measurements listed in this section shall 
be used to determine the acceptability of trunk and nonloaded subscriber 
loop circuits for data modem transmission.
    (b) Signal-to-C notched noise (S/CNN) measurement. (1) When 
specified by the borrower, S/CNN measurements shall be made on trunk 
circuits and nonloaded subscriber loops. For trunk circuits, the 
measurement shall be made between CO locations. For nonloaded subscriber 
loops, the measurement shall be made from the CO to the station 
protector of the NID at the customer's access location.
    (2) S/CNN is the logarithmic ratio expressed in dB of a 1,004 Hz 
holding tone signal compared to the C-message weighted noise level. S/
CNN is one of the most important transmission parameters affecting the 
performance of data transmission because proper modem operation requires 
low noise relative to received power level. Since modulated carriers are 
used in data communication systems, noise measurements need to be 
performed with power on the connection to activate equipment having 
signal-level-dependent noise sources. For 4 kHz channels, a 1,004 Hz 
holding tone is used to activate the signal-dependent equipment on the 
channel or connection.
    (3) Method of measurement. The S/CNN measurement shall be made using 
a 1,004 Hz holding tone at -13 dBm0 (decibels relative to one milliwatt, 
referred to a zero transmission level point) and performed in accordance 
with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) T1.506-1990, American 
National Standard for Telecommunications--Network Performance--
Transmission Specifications for Switched Exchange Access Network 
including supplement ANSI T1.506a-1992, and American National Standards 
Institute/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (ANSI/IEEE) 
743-1984, IEEE Standard Methods and Equipment for Measuring the 
Transmission Characteristics of Analog Voice Frequency Circuits. The 
ANSI T1.506-1990, American National Standard for Telecommunications--
Network Performance--Transmission Specifications for Switched Exchange 
Access Network is incorporated by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
522(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of ANSI T1.506-1990 are available for 
inspection during normal business hours at RUS, room 2845, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, STOP 1598, Washington, DC 20250-1598 or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC. Copies are available from ANSI, Customer Service, 
11 West 42nd Street, New York, New York 10036, telephone number (212) 
642-4900. The ANSI/IEEE 743-1984, IEEE Standard Methods and Equipment 
for Measuring the Transmission Characteristics of Analog Voice Frequency 
Circuits is incorporated by reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 522(a) 
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies of ANSI/IEEE 743-1984 are available for 
inspection during normal business hours at RUS, room 2845, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, STOP 1598, Washington, DC 20250-1598 or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC. Copies are available from ANSI, Customer Service, 
11 West 42nd Street, New York, New York 10036, telephone number (212) 
642-4900.
    (4) Test equipment. The equipment for performing the measurement 
shall be in accordance with ANSI/IEEE 743-1984.
    (5) Applicable results. The S/CNN for both trunk and nonloaded 
subscriber loop circuits shall not be less than 31 dB.
    (6) Data record. The measurement data shall be recorded. Suggested 
formats similar to Format VI, Voiceband Data Transmission Tests--
Nonloaded Subscriber Loops, and Format VII, Voiceband Data Transmission 
Tests--Trunk Circuits, in Sec. 1755.407 or formats specified in the 
applicable construction contract may be used.
    (7) Probable causes for nonconformance. Some of the causes for 
failing to obtain the desired results may be due to excessive harmonic 
distortion, quantizing noise, phase and amplitude jitter, and loss in 
digital pads used for level settings.
    (c) Signal-to-intermodulation distortion (S/IMD) measurement. (1) 
When specified by the borrower, S/IMD measurements shall be made on 
trunk circuits and nonloaded subscriber loops. For trunk

[[Page 522]]

circuits, the measurement shall be made between CO locations. For 
nonloaded subscriber loops, the measurement shall be made from the CO to 
the station protector of the NID at the customer's access location.
    (2) S/IMD is a measure of the distortion produced by extraneous 
frequency cross products, known as intermodulation products, when a 
multi-tone tone signal is applied to a system.
    (3) Intermodulation distortion (IMD) is caused by system 
nonlinearities acting upon the harmonic frequencies produced from an 
input of multiple tones. The products resulting from IMD can be more 
damaging than noise in terms of producing data transmission errors.
    (4) IMD is measured as a signal to distortion ratio and is expressed 
as the logarithmic ratio in dB of the composite power of four resulting 
test frequencies to the total power of specific higher order distortion 
products that are produced. The higher order products are measured at 
both the 2nd order and 3rd order and are designated R2 and R3, 
respectively. The four frequency testing for IMD is produced with four 
tones of 857, 863, 1,372, and 1,388 Hz input at a composite power level 
of -13 dBm0.
    (5) Method of measurement. The S/IMD measurement shall be performed 
in accordance with ANSI T1.506-1990 and ANSI/IEEE 743-1984.
    (6) Test equipment. The equipment for performing the measurement 
shall be in accordance with ANSI/IEEE 743-1984.
    (7) Applicable results. The 2nd order (R2) S/IMD for both trunk and 
nonloaded subscriber loop circuits shall not be less than 40 dB. The 3rd 
order (R3) S/IMD for both trunk and nonloaded subscriber loop circuits 
shall not be less than 40 dB.
    (8) Data record. The measurement data shall be recorded. Suggested 
formats similar to Format VI for nonloaded subscriber loops and Format 
VII for trunk circuits in Sec. 1755.407 or formats specified in the 
applicable construction contract may be used.
    (9) Probable causes for nonconformance. Some of the causes for 
failing to obtain the desired results may be due to channel 
nonlinearities, such as compression and clipping, which cause harmonic 
and intermodulation distortion in a voiceband signal.
    (d) Envelope delay distortion (EDD) measurement. (1) When specified 
by the borrower, EDD measurements shall be made on trunk circuits and 
nonloaded subscriber loops. For trunk circuits, the measurement shall be 
made between CO locations. For nonloaded subscriber loops, the 
measurement shall be made from the CO to the station protector of the 
NID at the customer's access location.
    (2) EDD is a measure of the linearity or uniformity of the phase 
versus frequency characteristics of a transmission facility. EDD is also 
known as relative envelope delay (RED).
    (3) EDD is specifically defined as the delay relative to the 
envelope delay at the reference frequency of 1,704 Hz. EDD is typically 
measured at two frequencies, one low and one high in the voiceband. The 
low frequency measurement is made at 604 Hz. The high frequency 
measurement is made at 2,804 Hz.
    (4) Method of measurement. The EDD measurement shall be performed in 
accordance with ANSI T1.506-1990 and ANSI/IEEE 743-1984.
    (5) Test equipment. The equipment for performing the measurement 
shall be in accordance with ANSI/IEEE 743-1984.
    (6) Applicable results. The EDD for both trunk and nonloaded 
subscriber loop circuits at the low frequency of 604 Hz shall not exceed 
1,500 microseconds. The EDD for both trunk and nonloaded subscriber loop 
circuits at the high frequency of 2,804 Hz shall not exceed 1,000 
microseconds.
    (7) Data record. The measurement data shall be recorded. Suggested 
formats similar to Format VI for nonloaded subscriber loops and Format 
VII for trunk circuits in Sec. 1755.407 or formats specified in the 
applicable construction contract may be used.
    (8) Probable causes for nonconformance. Some of the causes for 
failing to obtain the desired results may be due to nonlinearity of the 
phase versus frequency characteristic of the transmission facility. This 
nonlinear phase versus frequency characteristic of the transmission 
facility causes the various frequency components to travel at different 
transit times which results in

[[Page 523]]

successively transmitted data pulses to overlap at the receive end. The 
overlapping of the pulses at the receive end results in distortion of 
the received signal. Excessive EDD on the transmission facility may be 
reduced using data modems with equalization or by conditioning the 
transmission line.
    (e) Amplitude jitter (AJ) measurement. (1) When specified by the 
borrower, AJ measurements shall be made on trunk circuits and nonloaded 
subscriber loops. For trunk circuits, the measurement shall be made 
between CO locations. For nonloaded subscriber loops, the measurement 
shall be made from the CO to the station protector of the NID at the 
customer's access location.
    (2) AJ is any fluctuation in the peak amplitude value of a fixed 
tone signal at 1,004 Hz from its nominal value. AJ is expressed in peak 
percent amplitude modulation.
    (3) AJ is measured in two separate frequency bands, 4-300 Hz and 20-
-300 Hz. The 4--300 Hz band is important for modems employing echo 
canceling capabilities. The 20-300 Hz band is used for modems that do 
not employ echo cancelers.
    (4) Amplitude modulation can affect the error performance of 
voiceband data modems. The measurement of amplitude jitter indicates the 
total effect on the amplitude of the holding tone of incidental 
amplitude modulation and other sources including quantizing and message 
noise, impulse noise, gain hits, phase jitter, and additive tones such 
as single-frequency interference.
    (5) Method of measurement. The AJ measurement shall be performed in 
accordance with ANSI T1.506-1990 and ANSI/IEEE 743-1984.
    (6) Test equipment. The equipment for performing the measurement 
shall be in accordance with ANSI/IEEE 743-1984.
    (7) Applicable results. The AJ for both trunk and nonloaded 
subscriber loop circuits in the 4--300 Hz frequency band shall not 
exceed 6%. The AJ for both trunk and nonloaded subscriber loop circuits 
in the 20--300 Hz frequency band shall not exceed 5%.
    (8) Data record. The measurement data shall be recorded. Suggested 
formats similar to Format VI for nonloaded subscriber loops and Format 
VII for trunk circuits in Sec. 1755.407 or formats specified in the 
applicable construction contract may be used.
    (9) Probable causes for nonconformance. Some of the causes for 
failing to obtain the desired results may be due to excessive S/CNN, 
impulse noise, and phase jitter.
    (f) Phase jitter (PJ) measurement. (1) When specified by the 
borrower, PJ measurements shall be made on trunk circuits and nonloaded 
subscriber loops. For trunk circuits, the measurement shall be made 
between CO locations. For nonloaded subscriber loops, the measurement 
shall be made from the CO to the station protector of the NID at the 
customer's access location.
    (2) PJ is any fluctuation in the zero crossings of a fixed tone 
signal (usually 1,004 Hz) from their nominal position in time within the 
voiceband. PJ is expressed in terms of either degrees peak-to-peak ( 
deg.p-p) or in terms of a Unit Interval (UI). One UI is equal to 360 
deg.p-p.
    (3) PJ measurements are typically performed in two nominal frequency 
bands. The frequency bands are 20-300 Hz band and either the 2-300 Hz 
band or the 4-300 Hz band. The 20-300 Hz band is important to all phase-
detecting modems. The 4-300 Hz band or the 2-300 Hz band is important 
for modems employing echo canceling capabilities.
    (4) Phase jitter can affect the error performance of voiceband data 
modems that use phase detection techniques. The measurement of phase 
jitter indicates the total effect on the holding tone of incidental 
phase modulation and other sources including quantizing and message 
noise, impulse noise, phase hits, additive tones such as single-
frequency interference, and digital timing jitter.
    (5) Method of measurement. The PJ measurement shall be performed in 
accordance with ANSI T1.506-1990 and ANSI/IEEE 743-1984.
    (6) Test equipment. The equipment for performing the measurement 
shall be in accordance with ANSI/IEEE 743-1984.
    (7) Applicable results. The PJ for both trunk and nonloaded 
subscriber loop circuits in the 4-300 Hz frequency band shall not exceed 
6.5  deg.p-p. The PJ for both trunk and nonloaded subscriber loop 
circuits in the 20-300 Hz frequency band shall not exceed 10.0  deg.p-p.

[[Page 524]]

    (8) Data record. The measurement data shall be recorded. Suggested 
formats similar to Format VI for nonloaded subscriber loops and Format 
VII for trunk circuits in Sec. 1755.407 or formats specified in the 
applicable construction contract may be used.
    (9) Probable causes for nonconformance. Some of the causes for 
failing to obtain the desired results may be due to excessive S/CNN, 
impulse noise, and amplitude jitter.
    (g) Impulse noise measurement. (1) When specified by the borrower, 
impulse noise measurements shall be made on trunk circuits and nonloaded 
subscriber loops. For trunk circuits, the measurement shall be made 
between CO locations. For nonloaded subscriber loops, the measurement 
shall be made from the CO to the station protector of the NID at the 
customer's access location.
    (2) Impulse noise is a measure of the presence of unusually large 
noise excursions of short duration that are beyond the normal background 
noise levels on a facility. Impulse noise is typically measured by 
counting the number of occurrences beyond a particular noise reference 
threshold in a given time interval. The noise reference level is C-
message weighted.
    (3) Method of measurement. The impulse noise measurement shall be 
performed using a 1,004 Hz tone at -13 dBm0 and in accordance with ANSI 
T1.506-1990 and ANSI/IEEE 743-1984.
    (4) Test equipment. The equipment for performing the measurement 
shall be in accordance with ANSI/IEEE 743-1984.
    (5) Applicable results. The impulse noise for both trunk and 
nonloaded subscriber loop circuits shall not exceed 65 dBrnC0 (decibels 
relative to one picowatt reference noise level, measured with C-message 
frequency weighting, referred to a zero transmission level point). The 
impulse noise requirement shall be based upon a maximum of 5 counts in a 
5 minute period at equal to or greater than the indicated noise 
thresholds.
    (6) Data record. The measurement data shall be recorded. Suggested 
formats similar to Format VI for nonloaded subscriber loops and Format 
VII for trunk circuits in Sec. 1755.407 or formats specified in the 
applicable construction contract may be used.
    (7) Probable causes for nonconformance. Some of the causes for 
failing to obtain the desired results may be due to excessive transient 
signals originating from the various switching operations.

[62 FR 23996, May 2, 1997]