Quality Control of Government-owned Circuits

TM 11-5895-1012-10

thorough testing and analysis of test results. An effec-

All quality control testing of communications equip

tive quality control program consists of scheduling

ment will be conducted with the knowledge and per-

prescribed tests, measuring specific parameters, com-

mission of the TCF supervisor on duty. Operational

paring recorded measurements against applicable

equipment will be tested off-line after the completion

standards, trend analysis and directing corrective ac-

of regularly scheduled maintenance and in conjunction

tions where indicated.

with the appropriate maintenance personnel. Where

possible, equipment will be tested under maximum

4-47. Quality Control of Government-

loading, such as all VFCT equipment channels being

owned Circuits

keyed with test messages. A review of trend analysis

a. In-Service Quality Control Testing. In-service

should be made by TFC and maintenance personnel

quality control testing is performed regularly on all

prior to the test. This will identify channels that have

active circuits within the Technical Control Facility.

had most of the outages and degree of maintenance ad-

Measurements are made using high impedance bridg-

justments since the last scheduled test. This analysis

ing to prevent interruption of user service. Normal

may show the possibility of deteriorating components

in the equipment and that this test period may require

user traffic signals, telephone supervisory parameters

which can be measured without interruption of service

a closer examination of the item of equipment than is

and then compared to levels normally found at the

normally required during routing testing.

transmission level point of the circuit under test.

4-48.

(1) The technical controller analyzes the test re-

sults to determine if corrective action is required to

The basic requirement for quality control testing of

bring the circuit within system standards or the

leased communications circuits is identical to that re-

original circuit acceptance parameters. When re-

quired on Government owned circuits, with the follow-

quired, corrective action can be accomplished by

ing exceptions:

rerouting the circuit, equipment substitution on the

a In-Service Quality Control Testing. When it is

normal path, or, when neither is possible, obtaining a

determined through in-service testing that a circuit

user release of service in order to take the circuit out

does not meet parameters contracted for in the Com-

of-service for maintenance action.

(2) If the user does not want to release the circuit

munications Service Authorization (CSA), one of the

following actions must be initiated:

because of traffic load or mission requirements and

(1) If the user states the circuit is not providing

states that the degraded circuit is providing satisfac-

satisfactory service, the circuit will be logged out-of-

tory service, the technical controller will make ar-

service with the commercial carrier for immediate

rangements with the user for release of the circuit as

corrective action.

soon as traffic conditions or mission requirements

(2) If the user states that the circuit is providing

permit.

satisfactory service and the commercial carrier cannot

(3) Appropriate maintenance elements and con-

provide immediate corrective action or reroute, cor-

nected TCF's or PTF's will be advised of the substand-

rective action will be scheduled for a time mutually

ard condition of the circuit and of the projected down-

agreeable to the user and the carrier.

time.

b. Out-of-Service Quality Control Testing. The Cir-

b. Out-of-Service Quality Control Testing. It is the

cuit Control Office will coordinate quality control test

responsibility of the TCF designated as Circuit Control

schedules with commercial carriers to ensure that the

Office to schedule out-of-service quality control test-

carriers will have personnel and *test equipment avail-

ing on all circuits over which responsibility has been

able to participate in quality control tests and initiate

assigned. Periodic out-of-service testing permits end-

corrective actions if the circuit does not meet

to-end realignment of circuits to meet applicable DCS

parameters contracted for in the CSA.

circuit parameters. Out-of-service testing usually

requires the user to release the circuit for a specified

4-49. Quality Control

amount of time. Where at all possible a reroute will be

a. In-Service Test Schedules. Tests and frequency of

provided depending upon the circuit priority.

tests shown in table 4-5 are considered the minimum

c. Communications Equipment. Scheduled quality

required. Detailed schedules will be such that these

control testing of all communications equipment sup

minimum requirements are satisfied. The TCF may in-

porting the DCS, including spares, is required. Com-

crease the frequency of testing as necessary to ensure

munications equipment may be located in other sec-

required operations. Test requirements may be satis-

tions of the DCS Station; i.e. radio and carrier,

fied by use of automatic sensing equipment which

automatic switching centers, communications centers,

measure circuit parameters and provides a record

or within the TCF itself. In most cases, there is a Patch

copy of readings or alarms which sound when present

and Test Facility associated with the section involved.

4-40