FCC Proof of Performance Test Requirements Revised 8/12/00
The following table contains information about the FCC Proof of Performance test requirements as specified in CFR 47 part 76. Included are the basic measurement requirements, performance requirements, number of channels each test need to be conducted upon, how frequently they need to be conducted and where in the cable system the tests need to take place. For quotes from part 76 click on the button provided for each test. Additional information regarding the test, hints for performing the test and/or mistakes that are commonly made are available by clicking the corresponding text in the "Add'l Info column.
Click here for an overview of the testing requirements (number of test sites, number of channels, etc)
Measurement	Required performance	Channels?	When?	Where?	From Part 76:	Add'l Info
Aural Carrier Frequency Offset	4.5 MHz +/- 5 kHz	Test channels	Semi-annual	Headend, Terminal		Hints
Visual Carrier Level	At least 0 dBmV at subscriber terminal, at least 3 dBmV at tap	All	Semi-annual	Tap, Terminal		Hints
24 Hour Test	± 8 dB maximum variation over 6 months Each channel within 3 dB of adjacents Peak to Valley < 10 dB to 300 MHz, relaxed 1 dB per 100 MHz for wider systems Max level must not overload subscriber's equipment.	All	Semi-annual In Jan or Feb, again in July or August	Tap		More Info Hints
Aural Carrier Level	-10 to -17 dBc at subscriber terminal. -6.5 to -17 dBc if baseband converter is being used. Must not interfere with upper adjacent channel.	All	Semi-annual	Headend, terminal		Hints
In-channel response	+/- 2 dB from 0.75 MHz to 5.0 MHz above lower channel boundary	Test channels	Semi-annual	Terminal		More Info Common Mistakes Hints
Visual C/N	43 dB min	Test channels	Semi-annual	Terminal		More Info Hints
Coherent Disturbances	< 51 dBc. < 47 dBc at visual carrier frequency for coherent systems.	Test channels	Semi-annual	Terminal		Common Mistakes Hints
Terminal Isolation	At least 18 dB	Test channels	Semi-annual	Terminal		More Info
Hum and repetitive transients	pk to pk must be less than 3% of visual carrier level.	One channel or carrier	Semi-annual	Terminal		More Info
Chrominance to luminance delay inequality	no more than 170 nS.	Test channels	triennial	Headend		More Info
Differential Gain	no more than 20%	Test channels	triennial	Headend		More Info
Differential Phase	no more than +/- 10 degrees	Test channels	triennial	Headend		More Info
Signal Leakage (CLI)	< 54 MHz, 15 uV/meter at 30 meters 54 to 216 MHz, 20 uV/meter at 3 meters		See 76.609a			More Info
For the purposes of this table: "Test channels" refers to the channels (typically 7 to 9) selected for tests that are only required on a sampled basis as described on the overview page. "Terminal" refers to the subscriber terminal as described on the overview page. Sometimes its considered to be at the end of a 100 foot drop cable that is connected to the tap, other times, at the output of a set-top box that is connected to the 100 foot drop cable. Click here to jump to the overview page Home Products Tech Papers Contact Us