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M3 PLUS
Signal Level Meter
● 5 MHz to 1 GHz Standard Frequency Coverage
● Full Scan, Single Channel, and Spectrum Modes
● Long Term BER
● Data Logging
● Digital Signal Measurements: Power, MER, Pre-
and Post-FEC BER (Including Deep Interleave)
● Constellation Display

Overview
The M3 PLUS™ signal level meter is the go-to meter
for CATV installations. It features a new and improved
color user interface for easy navigation of a wide
range of digital and analog channel measurements.
This rugged design allows for easy customization,
making tests more streamlined, and installation and
troubleshooting more efficient.

The meter performs a complete test of all channels in

the selected user channel plan to specified limits just
by simply pressing one button. It can also be set to
automatically perform Level, Spectrum, Tilt (Favorite),
Hum, and Limit tests.

Carrier amplitudes are displayed individually, grouped LEARNED CHANNEL PLANS

with up to 12 “favorites”, or in scan mode with five If contractors are working in several systems with
levels of magnification or full channel plan scan. different channel lineups, they can customize their
The meter also tests QAM channels, performs Hum meter with up to five user-defined channel plans. Plans
measurements, provides data logging, and much more. can be automatically learned (from eight base plans)
at a cable drop, or downloaded from PC files using the
optional ToolBox™ software. The operator can select
favorite channels in each user plan to be included in a
Favorite/Tilt channel plan.

XFTP by TRILITHIC P: 800-344-2412

9710 Park Davis Drive 317-895-3600 www.fieldtechproducts.com
Indianapolis, IN 46235 F: 317-895-3613
E: [email protected]
M3 PLUS Signal Level Meter
DIGITAL CHANNEL MEASUREMENT USER-DEFINED TESTS
A significant time and cost savings feature of the M3
The M3 PLUS can measure the channel power of PLUS is the capability to group tests into automatic
QPSK, QAM, and COFDM channels when testing or tests that can be executed with a single keystroke.
troubleshooting your digital transmission system. MER Several Auto-Tests can be stored in the meter and
and pre- and post-BER of QAM channels (including deep recalled as needed. These may include Level, Tilt,
interleave) can also be measured through this function. Spectrum, Hum, and Limit tests.
Constellation display comes standard with the M3 LIMIT TEST
PLUS. Operators can now quickly analyze 64 and 256 Limit test data allows for test uniformity and flexible
QAM downstream channels to verify quality or locate field storage, and may be automatically scored against
impairments with the meter, all right out of the box. specified limits and assembled into reports.
WIDE CHANNEL SCANS AUTOMATED PROOF OF PERFORMANCE
The M3 PLUS can display up to 126 channels in a With the simple press of a button, the M3 PLUS can
single view or a total of 170 channels in overlapping perform FCC Part 76 level-related tests including:
views during Channel scan. Active measurement Visual Carrier Levels, Δ V/A, Max Δ Visual Carrier
mode settings can be easily accessed, without the Levels, and Δ Adjacent Visual Carrier levels. The test
hassles of nested menus. This saves valuable time results can then be compared against FCC limits, or
for the operator by allowing fast changes to be made limits set by the user.
in the settings while being able to quickly return to
measurement mode. FLEXIBLE DATA STORAGE
The operator can select and save the test data of
LEVEL MEASUREMENT the level, tilt, spectrum, scan, hum, and limit auto-
During Level measurements, the option to display the test measurements and recall them as needed. Scan,
two adjacent channels to the channel being measured Spectrum, and Limit files can be viewed graphically.
is available. Auto Diagnosis can also be turned on to Any combination of up to 30 Level, Tilt, Spectrum,
allow the Limit display to give pass/fail results. Hum, or scans, or up to 22 Limit test measurement
SPECTRUM MEASUREMENT files may be saved on the M3 PLUS. These data records
In Spectrum mode, the M3 PLUS has the ability to may be uploaded to a PC through the optional ToolBox
display the full spectrum. Frequency spans from 2.5 software for reports, analysis, and printing.
MHz to 62.5 MHz can also be displayed. The Δ MARKER EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE, FAST CHARGING
function is included in Spectrum mode. MAX HOLD The battery in the M3 PLUS provides five hours or more
captures transient events. The M3 PLUS also has an of continuous use between charges. One hour of fast
Average display function for Spectrum. charging from AC or vehicle power provides nearly two
HUM hours of extended operation.
The Hum measurement function is used to troubleshoot
interference that may result from a defective power
supply or faulty or overloaded power inserters. This
mode includes 60 Hz and 120 Hz (or 50 Hz and 100 Hz)
and low pass (1 to 400 Hz) measurements.

XFTP by TRILITHIC P: 800-344-2412

9710 Park Davis Drive 317-895-3600 www.fieldtechproducts.com
Indianapolis, IN 46235 F: 317-895-3613
E: [email protected]
M3 PLUS P/N 2011346030

Main Menu Limit Test

Level measurement for digital

channels with pass/fail results THE M3 PLUS SIGNAL LEVEL METER SUPPORTS A
VARIETY OF FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING:
• QAM, QPSK, COFDM Test
• Level Test
• Channel Scanning
• Long Term BER
• Spectrum
• Tilt
QAM display
• Hum
• Carrier-to-Noise
BER Statistics
• Multiple User Channel Plan Setup
• File Management
• Intelligent Power Management
• Character/Numeral Input

Fav/Tilt display

Channel Scan

Spectrum measurement

Hum

XFTP by TRILITHIC P: 800-344-2412

9710 Park Davis Drive 317-895-3600 www.fieldtechproducts.com
Indianapolis, IN 46235 F: 317-895-3613
E: [email protected]
 M3 PLUS P/N 2011346030

Specifications
Frequency Range: 5 MHz to 1 GHz Limit Test Any of the following may be enabled:
Accuracy: ±50 ppm @ 20° C ± 5° (68° F ± 9°) Parameters Min video: -20 to +59 dBmV (40 to 119 dBμV)
Resolution: 10 kHz Max video: -19 to +60 dBmV (41 to 120 dBμV)
Max Δ video: 2 to 30 dB
Channel Type Analog TV: TV Min Δ V/A: 0 to 15 dB
Digital TV: 16/32/64/128/256 QAM, QPSK, COFDM Max Δ V/A: 5 to 30 dB
FM channel: single frequency Max Δ ADJ: 0 to 20 dB

Analog Level Range: 5 MHz to 65 MHz (-42 dBmV to +60 dBmV) Auto-Test Number of programs: 7 (max)
Measurement 65 MHz to 1GHz (-35 dBmV to +60 dBmV)
Tests: Level, Tilt, Spectrum, Hum, and Limit
Accuracy: > -25 dBmV: (any or all tests may be used in an Auto-Test
± 1.5 dB @ 50° to 86° F (10° to 30° C) program)
± 3.0 dB @ 14° to 104° F (-10° to +40° C)
Resolution: 0.1 dB Power 12.6 V / 1.6 AH Li-Ion battery
Input impedance: 75 Ω (unbalanced, BNC or Provides 5 hours of continuous operation
F-type connector)
Charger: 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 15 VDC,
2 A (max)
Hum Range: 2 to 5% LPF, BPF
Charge time: Less than 3 hours
Accuracy: ±0.5% (BPF)
Display 320 x 320 backlit OLED
Channel Scan Number of channels: 170 (max)
Scanning speed: 3 channels per second Communication RS-232C (Converts to USB with data cable)
Scale: 1, 2, 5, 10 dB/div Port
Zoom: 1x, 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x; five levels of
magnification or full channel plan scan Storage 512 Kb of memory
Up to 30 complete scan files (170 channels,
Frequency Bandwidth: 2.5 MHz, 6.25 MHz, 12.5 MHz, 25 max) or 22 complete Limit test files (170
Spectrum MHz, 62.5 MHz, and full span channels, max); less if other files (Level, Tilt,
Scale: 1, 2, 5, 10 dB/div QAM, Hum, Spectrum) are saved

Digital Channel Demodulation type: ITU-T J.83 Annex A/B/C Weight 1.54 lbs (700 g)
standard
Support: 16/32/64/128/256 QAM, QPSK, COFDM Dimensions 8.52” x 3.74” x 1.93”
(H x W x D) (218mm x 95mm x 49mm)
Symbol rate: 4 to 7 MS/sec
Bandwidth: 0.28 TO 9.99 MHz (dimensions do not include belt clip)
MER: To 39 dB (QAM)
Accuracy: ±2.0 dB
BER: 1E-3 to 1E-9 before and after R-S decoding
(QAM)
Power measurement type: QAM, QPSK, COFDM

Digital Level range: -25 to +55 dBmV

Channel Power ACCESSORIES:
Accuracy: ±2.0 dB @ 50° to 86° F (10° to 30°
(Average) C) CC-30 holster with belt loop CC-17 protective sleeve
± 3.0 dB @ 14° to 104° F (-10° to +40° C) P/N 2131521000 P/N 2130856000
Resolution: 0.1 dB I/O-15 precision RF coaxial ToolBox software
test cable (includes PC data cable)
Constellation Display size: 64 and 256 QAM P/N 2071527048 P/N 0930180000
Constellation with zoom capability
USB PC data cable
Tilt Number of channels: 4 to 12 P/N 2072084000
Measurement Resolution: 0.1 dB

INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:

5 MHz to 1 GHz signal level meter AC battery charger
Protective rubber bumper User’s manual
Carrying case with shoulder strap

XFTP by TRILITHIC P: 800-344-2412

9710 Park Davis Drive 317-895-3600 www.fieldtechproducts.com
Indianapolis, IN 46235 F: 317-895-3613
E: [email protected]

Copyright © 2011 Trilithic, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Specifications are subject to change without notice. Please contact your nearest distributor for further information. XFTP 08/11 Rev 1