COMM-WATCH^®

Remote T1 Monitor & Alarm

Specifications

Contact Electrodata at 1-800-441-6336

COMM-WATCH^® is a full-featured, yet affordable remote monitor and alarm instrument for T1 data communications. COMM-WATCH acts as a sentinel for faults and errors on T1 lines. Reliable and vigilant, it monitors both the receive (Network) and transmit (Site) sides of the T1 circuit. It reports failures or alarm conditions to off-site locations and provides the information required to determine whether a fault is network related or is caused by on-site equipment.

Download the Windows^® software to access our dial-up demo unit on a live, simulated, T1 network!!
...then check out our FAQ page... a list of Frequently Asked Questions about COMM-WATCH.

COMM-WATCH has MANY unique features:

Supports both wireless and wire-line telephone connections for alarm communication
Stores data in 15 minute windows for 24 hours, 1 hour windows for 7 days,

Date and time stamps up to 200 definable events
Supports primary and secondary alarm communication lines
Provides charging current for wireless telephone batteries
Windows^®compatible software provided
Variable alarm thresholds
Programmable alarm messages and telephone numbers
Multiple units interconnect to monitor sites with more than one T1 circuit
High impedance connections ensure that the COMM-WATCH itself

The primary benefit of using COMM-WATCH in your network is reduced cost. Substantial savings are achieved through:

Reduced downtime due to rapid fault isolation
Greatly reduced labor costs due to more accurate dispatch
Identification of "time of day" related failures
Verification of network failures for "rate adjustments"
Warning of impending failure as a circuit degrades

COMM-WATCH quickly pays for itself and continues to save you time and money!

To order yours or to find out more about the COMM-WATCH, just call toll-free 1-800-441-6336.

Take a look at the Installation Diagram and the Specifications.

Download the latest equipment firmware or Windows^® software for the COMM-WATCH.

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COMM-WATCH™ Installation Diagram

Specifications for COMM-WATCH™

MEASUREMENTS

Clock Slips Line Measurements: Bipolar Violation (BPV); BPV Errored Seconds; Severely Errored Seconds; Unavailable Seconds; Excess Zero Seconds; Path Measurements: Frame or CRC-6 Errors; Errored Seconds; Severely Errored Seconds; Unavailable seconds Status: Yellow Alarm; Blue Alarm; Signal Loss; Frame Loss; B8ZS Detect

DATA STORAGE

All Measurements: 1/4 hour bins for last 24 hours; 1 hour bins for last 7 days since last reset Defined Events: Maximum of 200 total (date and time stamped)

ALARM AND CONTROL

Connector: Dual 9-pin RS-232 (male) PCMCIA Software: Windows compatible Logical Path: Programmable primary and secondary Telephone Numbers: Two (programmable)

DISPLAY

Red LED's: Network Signal Loss; Network Frame Sync Loss; Network Errors; Site Signal Loss; Site Frame Sync Loss; Site Errors Green LED: Power

RECEIVER

Clock Source: Recovered from received data Line Code: AMI, B8ZS, Auto Framing: SF, ESF, Auto INPUT Connector: RJ-48 (female) Impedance: Greater than 1000 ohms Level Range: DSX +6 dB to DSX -36 dB

POWER

DC Operation: +24 vdc, -48 vdc, +6.5 vdc Charging Output: 40 ma dc (current regulated) Connector: 20 to 26 ga terminal block or 2.1mm jack for 6.5 vdc AC Operation: 115 vac, 60 Hz (optional adapter)

PHYSICAL

Size: 7.5"L x 5.5"W x 1.5"H Weight: 1.5 lbs. Operating Temperature: -20ºC to 60ºC Storage Temperature: -30ºC to 80ºC Humidity: 10% to 90% noncondensing Rack Mount: 3 units per 1.75" panel (optional) Specifications subject to change without notice.(Go back to top of page.)

Take a look at the Installation Diagram and our FAQ page,
a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding the COMM-WATCH.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs the COMM-WATCH?

Anyone dependent on a T1 network without full-time service personnel at each remote location. Prime examples are: the service providers themselves (telcos and CAPs), large private networks (investment companies, utilities, etc.), and wireless service providers.

What does COMM-WATCH do?

It monitors both the received signal from the network and the transmitted signal from the remote site for any indication of impaired performance or failure. It then stores this information in "bins" of 15 minutes for the last 24 hours and 1 hour bins for the last 7 days. In addition, it records up to 200 specific events with precise date and time information. Finally, COMM-WATCH compares these events to specified thresholds and places alarm calls when the thresholds are exceeded.

How do I get my pay-back for a COMM-WATCH investment?

Three ways: First through reduced service costs as a result of knowing , in advance, which is at fault, the network or the site. With this information, the proper service team, and only that team, is dispatched as soon as the fault occurs. Second, COMM-WATCH retains the network performance information needed to support/refute claims for rate adjustments. And last but not least, network performance and up-time are improved through rapid fault detection and isolation.

Do you still need COMM-WATCH when the CSU or other terminating equipment has statistics storage and reporting capability?

Yes, any active device may be the cause of the failure and unable to report properly. The COMM-WATCH passively "watches" the T1 circuit at the demarcation point between the service provider and the end-user. The connection to the T1 is through a high impedance to eliminate even the small chance that the COMM-WATCH could cause a failure.

Are separate telephone connections required for each COMM-WATCH, when a site has multiple T1s?

No, at sites with multiple T1's, multiple COMM-WATCH units can be connected together and share common communication links.

Can I have a back-up number called if the primary does not answer?

Yes.

Can I have a back-up alarm notification in the event of simultaneous failures on both the T1 and my telephone line?

Yes, COMM-WATCH supports two alarm communication lines in any combination of POTS (plain-old-telephone-service), wireless, or RS-232 connections.

Can I have COMM-WATCH call a pager and a network management system (NMS)?

Yes, COMM-WATCH supports a variety of alarm notification capabilities including alpha/numeric pagers, NMS systems, personal computers and simple printer logs.

How do I make changes in the "field" as my requirements change?

The COMM-WATCH can be provisioned remotely or via a local RS-232 connection. In addition, Electrodata will support remote upgrades of system software via OnCall® using a simple modem/ telephone connection.

Can the COMM-WATCH use 24 vdc power?

Yes, there are a variety of options for powering the COMM-WATCH including 24 vdc, -48 vdc and 120 vac.

Why do PCS systems have special needs?

PCS will depend on leased T1 communications to Base Transceiver Sites (BTS) and there will be approximately ten times the number of BTS's as current "cell sites". For PCS, the system will literally "live or die" on the performance of the leased T1 lines. Most BTS locations will not have a POTS circuit available and COMM-WATCH's ability to use a wireless connection to the next BTS location becomes a critical capability.

Don't many sites already have remote diagnostic capability?

Yes, but these sites do not have the ability to isolate between the leased T1 and the CSU during a land-line communications failure.

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Take a look at the Installation Diagram and the Specifications.