Pulsecom ADSL test predicts worst-case scenario

Multiple-technology test vendor Pulsecom announced last week that it is offering an asymmetrical digital subscriber line loop analyzer that can be downloaded from its Web site for free at www.pulse.com.

By inputting key line characteristics such as the number of bridge taps or length of a line, operators can use the Pulsecom Predictor to learn the worst-case upstream and downstream bit rates of a particular loop.

"You can actually plug in the disturbers that may be present that could cause havoc on your line," said Sassan Babaie, vice president of marketing for Pulsecom.

"It increases the confidence level of a carrier in deploying a specific loop," said Dennis Rauschmayer, a principal scientist for Pulsecom and the software's designer.

A day after the company announced the application, more than 20 carriers had downloaded the software, a spokeswoman said.

One user was Mike Lutz, DSL development engineer and trial coordinator for Avalon Networks, an Internet service provider deploying ADSL in Iowa City, Iowa. "If they're trying to take the DSL community by storm with this, they're pretty close to doing it," he said. Of particular help to his company is the crosstalk analysis, he said.

Laurie Falconer, an associate DSL analyst with TeleChoice, was enthusiastic about the software: "It's a huge benefit for a service provider to be able to analyze a situation a customer could be in. It will enable them to provide better [service level agreements]."

Pulsecom plans to upgrade the test to analyze G.lite, symmetrical, high bit-rate and ISDN DSL lines in the near future, Babaie said.