SIST EN 60835-3-11:2002

SIST EN 60835-3-11:2002 is the Slovenian standard for measurement methods for service channel equipment used with SCPC-PSK terminals in digital microwave radio transmission systems. It is published by SIST and is identical to EN 60835-3-11:1995, based on IEC 60835-3-11:1995. The document is aimed at testing voice-interface service channel equipment in satellite earth stations.

What does SIST EN 60835-3-11:2002 specify?

SIST EN 60835-3-11:2002 specifies how to measure service channel equipment that uses SCPC-PSK (single-channel-per-carrier, phase-shift-keying) terminals. The methods apply to equipment with a voice interface and focus on service channel operation in satellite earth stations.

The scope excludes measurements on service channel frequency control systems.

The document is organized into six clauses:

• Clause 1 - Scope
• Clause 2 - Normative references
• Clause 3 - General considerations
• Clause 4 - Measurement method
  • 4.1 Functional tests
  • 4.2 Performance tests
• Clause 5 - Presentation of results
• Clause 6 - Details to be specified

What are the key requirements of SIST EN 60835-3-11:2002?

SIST EN 60835-3-11:2002 centers on functional checking of service channel operation and on selected performance measurements where suitable interface test points are available. In practice, the standard tells the user how to set up the test, what to verify, and how to report the outcome.

Clause 3 - general considerations

Clause 3 explains that service channels, also called engineering service circuits (ESC), are used for communication between earth station personnel. The standard notes that the exact call types, signalling systems, priority levels, and services can vary between satellite networks. This matters because the tester must choose functional checks that match the specific system in use.

Clause 4.1 - functional tests

Clause 4.1 requires a test arrangement that simulates the distant earth station, using measuring equipment or previously tested service channel equipment. The equipment under test is interconnected with its associated channel units as in normal operation, and the functional tests follow the terminal equipment tests defined in IEC 835-3-9. In practice, this means the test setup must reproduce real service conditions, not just bench signals.

The functional checks include calling in both SEND and RECEIVE directions, verifying that the intended connection is established, and checking that an unrelated number does not create a connection. The standard also calls for checks of audible and/or visual signalling, call stability over time, intelligibility during telephone calls, error checking during telegraph calls, priority handling where applicable, and return to idle after call termination. This gives a practical pass/fail view of whether the service channel behaves correctly in use.

A note in Clause 4.1 allows an i.f. noise source to be inserted in the receive path to simulate satellite uplink/downlink noise when worst-case conditions are to be tested. That helps operators and laboratories judge performance under realistic impairment.

Clause 4.2 - performance tests

Clause 4.2 lists performance parameters that can be measured for telephone transmission when suitable test points are available:

• insertion loss
• frequency response
• non-linear distortion
• psophometric noise
• spurious tones

The measurement methods for these parameters are taken from IEC 835-1-2 and IEC 835-1-3. Additional items such as signalling level, cross-talk attenuation, and dial pulse parameters may also be measured if appropriate. In practice, this lets a test team go beyond basic call success and document transmission quality.

Clauses 5 and 6 - reporting and planning

Clause 5 requires functional test results to be reported as simple pass/fail records. Clause 6 says the user must specify which functional tests and performance tests are to be performed, including any limit values. This matters for contracts, factory testing, and acceptance testing because the test program has to be defined before measurements begin.

What terms does SIST EN 60835-3-11:2002 define?

• SCPC - Single-channel-per-carrier, a transmission arrangement where one carrier carries one channel.
• PSK - Phase-shift-keying, a digital modulation method used by the terminals covered by the standard.
• ESC - Engineering service circuits, the service channels used for communication between earth station personnel.
• i.f. - Intermediate frequency, the test path where loop-back and optional noise insertion are set up.
• Service channel - The communication path used for operating, maintaining, and managing the satellite earth station network.
• Channel unit - The unit associated with the service channel interface that is part of the test arrangement.

Who uses SIST EN 60835-3-11:2002?

SIST EN 60835-3-11:2002 is used by engineers, test laboratories, manufacturers, and operators working with satellite earth stations and radio-relay or fixed satellite communication systems. It is especially relevant to people who need to verify service channel operation, set up functional tests, or measure telephone-grade transmission performance. Earth station personnel can also use it when checking communication paths used for operation, maintenance, and management.

Which standards are used with SIST EN 60835-3-11:2002?

• IEC 835-1-2:1992 - Provides measurement methods for basic characteristics used for parameters such as insertion loss and related performance checks.
• IEC 835-1-3:1992 - Provides measurement methods for transmission characteristics used for frequency response, distortion, noise, and spurious tones.
• IEC 835-3-9:1993 - Covers SCPC-PSK terminal equipment and gives the terminal equipment tests that precede the service channel tests here.

The foreword also places this document within the IEC 835 series, together with Part 1 for measurements common to terrestrial radio-relay systems and satellite earth stations, Part 2 for terrestrial radio-relay systems, and Part 3 for satellite earth stations.

What does the SIST EN 60835-3-11:2002 document contain?

SIST EN 60835-3-11:2002 contains a test framework for service channel equipment, including a figure showing the test setup with SEND and RECEIVE paths, an i.f. loop connection, and an optional i.f. noise source. It describes how to perform call-establishment tests, signalling checks, intelligibility checks, priority checks, and return-to-idle verification.

It also identifies which transmission-quality parameters can be measured when suitable interface points are available and points to the companion IEC documents that provide the detailed methods. For practical use, the document serves as a guide for laboratory testing, acceptance testing, and operational verification of SCPC-PSK service channel equipment.