SunSet Handheld Telecom and Network Transmission Analyzers
4 models with full specifications from Sun.
The SunSet series from Sun is a family of handheld telecom and network transmission analyzers built for field testing, installation, and troubleshooting. These portable instruments share a rugged, battery-powered form factor with backlit liquid crystal displays and physical interfaces tailored to specific copper and fiber technologies. The series spans from dedicated legacy line testers to multi-rate optical instruments, serving field engineers who maintain telecommunications circuits, leased lines, and high-speed network backbones. This page highlights their common design principles and maps each model to its corresponding application.
- Form Factor
- Handheld field instruments with backlit LCDs
- Supported Standards
- T1, E1, DSn, PDH, SONET, SDH, ATM
- Power Source
- Rechargeable battery packs and external AC adapters
- Primary Interfaces
- Bantam, BNC, RJ-45, RJ-48, RS-232, and Optical TX/RX
Models in this series
| Model | Type | Battery Type | Dimensions (W×H×D) | Display |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset OCx | *misc | Rechargeable NiMH battery pack | 115 x 267 x 76 | 320 x 240 pixel LCD with backlight |
| Sunset T10 | *misc | Rechargeable NiMH battery pack | 100 x 195 x 45 | 8-line x 21-character backlit graphic LCD |
| Sunset E10 | Miscellaneous | Rechargeable battery pack (NiMH or NiCd depending on model year) | 105 × 225 × 60 mm | 8-line x 40-character backlit LCD |
| SUNSET E1 | *misc | Rechargeable NiMH | 272 x 102 x 64 mm | Backlit graphic LCD, 8 lines × 32 characters |
Shared Architecture and Field Capabilities
All members of the SunSet series are self-contained, handheld units designed for use in demanding field environments. They incorporate rechargeable internal batteries (NiMH in most configurations) alongside external AC adapters to support continuous testing without mains power. For data transfer and remote management, each unit features an RS-232 interface. Backlit graphic displays allow technicians to read test parameters and diagnostic alarms in low-light conditions, with sizes ranging from character-based formats up to the 320 x 240 pixel screen found on the high-speed optical models.
Selecting the Right Model for the Job
While the instruments share physical design principles, their inner hardware determines which transmission standards they can evaluate:
- High-Speed Optical & Electrical Networks: The Sun Sunset OCx is designed for multi-rate electrical and optical circuits. It supports testing from DS1 (1.544 Mbps) up to optical OC-12 (622 Mbps). This model is equipped with a Stratum 3 compliant clock (accuracy of ±4.6 ppm) and handles complex SONET/SDH mapping, ATM, and PDH testing.
- T1 Circuit Maintenance: The Sun Sunset T10 is a specialized, lightweight (0.54 kg) tool for 1.544 Mbps T1 lines. It provides standard framing formats (SF, ESF, SLC-96), line codes (AMI, B8ZS), and comprehensive bit error rate testing (BERT) patterns.
- E1 and Datacom Networks: The Sun Sunset E10 and the Sun SUNSET E1 are dedicated 2.048 Mbps analyzers. Both support standard E1 line codes (AMI, HDB3) and ITU-T pulse shapes. The Sun Sunset E10 (0.9 kg) provides E1 interfaces on BNC and RJ-48 connectors, while the slightly larger Sun SUNSET E1 (1.3 kg, 272 mm width) includes BNC, RJ-45, and a dedicated headset jack for voice-frequency evaluation.
Frequently asked questions
- Which models in the SunSet series support 2.048 Mbps E1 line testing?
- The Sun Sunset OCx, Sun Sunset E10, and Sun SUNSET E1 all support E1 interfaces and testing capabilities.
- What is the highest transmission speed supported in the SunSet lineup?
- The highest speed is achieved by the Sun Sunset OCx, which supports optical transmission rates up to OC-12 (622 Mbps) and STM-4.
- Are these analyzers capable of operating on internal battery power?
- Yes, all four models—the Sun Sunset OCx, Sun Sunset T10, Sun Sunset E10, and Sun SUNSET E1—feature internal rechargeable battery packs for portable operation in the field.