CPAT^® Continuous Leakage Monitoring System

The CPAT^® solution is the most advanced GPS-based signal leakage monitoring system with automatic vehicle locator (AVL) capabilities on the market. It has been designed to automatically detect, record and dispatch signal leakage events without any intervention from your field technicians. Just place the CPAT^® units onboard your service vehicles and let them do the job.

Through our Web-based server application and integration with a back office ticketing application, the CPAT^® service provides a total picture of the operator’s HFC network RF integrity. The ability to proactively locate, dispatch and repair leakage events will eventually reduce your trouble tickets and truck rolls. The end result will be increased reliability and greater customer satisfaction.

CPAT^® is a continuous leakage monitoring system utilizing an onboard data collection device and a Web-based GIS application server.

The CPAT^® mobile unit (AFDD) is typically installed in the operator’s service/maintenance vehicle. Each vehicle will be driven over some sections of the HFC network during the technician’s daily work routine. The AFDD begins monitoring the plant as soon as the technician’s truck starts up. Operation of the AFDD does not require any intervention from the technician. As the vehicle is being driven, the AFDD detects, measures and positions the leaks and uploads captured data trough a wireless communication link.

A WIFI hot spot receiver is installed at a location to which technicians return regularly (i.e. business office, warehouse, etc.) When a vehicle passes within the range of the WIFI receiver, the captured leakage data is automatically transferred to the CPAT^® application server without any intervention from the technician. Optional GPRS and 1X modems are also available for data upload purposes.

The captured data is processed by the CPAT^® application server to eliminate multiple appearances of the same leak. For example, different vehicles could detect the same leak and the CPAT^® application will make sure it keeps only one record. Authorized users can access the data through the Web-based CPAT^® application using a normal web browser. CPAT^® includes a geographic information system (WEB GIS) so leakage points can be located and mapped. A series of comprehensive management reports is available providing information on leakage status history or work orders to be executed by region, city or sector. Leakage data can also be exported to Excel or ASCII file format for specific reporting requirements. Security level access determines what information users can access.

Work orders can be directly assigned and e-mailed to the technician(s) by the CPAT^® application. Leakage work orders could also be dispatched to your work force management system or trouble ticketing application via a custom interface developed to your specifications. The CPAT^® database can manage the status of work orders (assigned, unassigned or closed). The leakage indexes are constantly updated every time a leak status changes or new data are received.

Automatic vehicle location (AVL) can be monitored by the CPAT^® application. The CPAT^® application can determine the real-time position of any vehicle in a fleet equipped with a CPAT^® Package or AVL Package ⁽¹⁾. The application provides the vehicle’s position on a recurring time basis selected by the operator.

Note (1): Requires GPRS or 1X communication module in vehicle package.

Operational CPAT^® systems achieve nearly complete plant coverage in just under a quarter. This is the equivalent of four significant plant patrols a year, without changing the technician’s daily routine.

Detector type	Digital receiver/demodulator
Frequency range	Agile from 120 to 155 MHz
Tuning resolution	1 kHz
Resolution bandwidth	4 kHz
Input sensitivity	< 2uV/m
Measurement range	2 to 5000 uV/m
Measurement accuracy	± 1 dB
RF/GPS Measurement rate	3 per second, continuous
RF input impedance	50 ohm nominal (monopole antenna) 75 ohm (digitally compensated for dipole antenna)
Tag detector	AM (3 to 203 Hz) FM (3 to 30 Hz)
Interference rejection	Video sync detection (untagged video carriers)
GPS receiver type	16 channels, high sensitivity, WAAS
GPS antenna	Active patch antenna
GPS real-time accuracy	2.5 m CEP
Internal memory	8 MB (> 20 days of continuous operation)
Communication port	1 USB
Wireless comm. interface	WIFI 802.11B GPRS (optional) 1X (optional)
Power	12 VDC, 600 mA
Operating temperature	-20 to +60 ˚C // -4 to +140 °F
Dimensions	1.77 x 4.27 x 8,66 in. (H x W x D)