48th International Symposium ELMAR-2006, 07-09 June 2006, Zadar, Croatia

Analysis of Effect of Some Parameters of Symmetrical-Copper-Twisted-Pair on

Quality of ADSL Service

A. Begovic*, N. Behlilovic**, A.Sarajlic

BH Telecom d.d., Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
alen.begovicgbhtelecom.ba; narcis.behlilovicgetf.unsa.ba

Abstract This paper is analyzing how some symmetrical-cooper-twisted-pair parameters take effect to quality
of ADSL services. The treated parameters are insulation resistance, loop resistance and attenuation (on several
significantfrequencies). As the parameter ofquality of service the bit-rate (both up-stream and down-stream bit-
rate) is used. The testing transmission line is twisted pair placed in low-band telecommunication cable, with
variable length (up to 8000 meters), and with 0.4 mm conductor diameter. We treated two types of low-band
telecommunications cables - cable with paper-based insulation and lead-shield (approximately 25 years old),
and cable with polyethylene-based insulation and aluminium-shield (2.5 years old). Basic theory of electrical
loops is given at begin, measurements results and conclusion follow after that.
Keywords - insulation resistance, local loop resistance, attenuation, up-stream, down-stream, twisted pair,
telecommunication cable, insulation-type, shield-type.

1. INTRODUCTION multiplex devices, as far as we know, can multiplex

Continuous growth of needs of human kind for
better quality of communication at distance, in
particular in the last two decades of the past century,
resulted in need for more important development of
telecommunications in the world. That development
was primarily related to digitalization of transmission
systems, and later to digitalization of commutation
systems.
In the world of abandoning of old coaxial cables in
transmission systems wit optic fibers, general opinion
was that the future of copper cables in access
telecommunication networks in, at least, questionable.
The goal is set- optic fibre to the home. Copper
infrastructure simply, did not have its place there.
However, to easily abandon access systems based
on copper cables which were built for decades was
not completely economically feasible. On the other
hand, analysis of spectral characteristics of
symmetrical-copper-twisted-pair has shown that it is
possible to direct signals through it, which have
frequency range much higher than 4 kHz.
It has shown that, by selection of appropriate
method of coding and/or modulation of original
signal, it is possible to offer a broadband service
through standard copper-twisted pair. These services
are also known as Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).
Their invention was a turning point in the future of
copper access network. That future is not in question
now, at least for a longer period of time.
To confirm the claim from the previous paragraph
there is also a fact that, for some time now, multiplex
devices which allow multiplexing of broadband
service are being produced and are on the market. Old
just the basic speech service.
A logical question, which was imposed by the
invention of DSL services, is what parameters should
have a line based on copper pair, in order to ensure
certain quality of such service. Initially, it seemed
logical that these parameters should be stricter, than in
case of basic speech service. For telecommunication
operators, which provide services of DSL, it is
important to know these parameters, because based on
them, they can estimate whether it is and how much is
it feasible to invest in maintenance of old copper
access network (particularly in areas where demands
for broadband services are relatively high), or is it
better to construct a new access infrastructure.
In this document, we shall analyze effects of some
parameters of copper pair, on quality of ADSL
service. Treated parameters are insulation resistance,
loop resistance and attenuation of some frequencies,
in the observed frequency band. The parameter for
quality of the service is transmission rate in both
directions.
These parameters are tested on two NF subscription
copper cables, where the length of the pair varies
conclusive with 8000 meters. One cable has paper
insulation and lead shield, and is in exploitation for 25
years, and the other one has PE insulation and
aluminum shield, 2.5 years old. Both cables have
diameter of 0.4 mm.
After a short overview of basic principles of the
theory of transmission lines has been presented at the
beginning, with accent on treatment of their relevant
parameters, an appropriate theoretical analysis of the
selected line was made, and afterwards it is compared
with the results of relevant practical measuring on
subject real facilities.

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 48th International Symposium ELMAR-2006, 07-09 June 2006, Zadar, Croatia

2. GENERAL MATHEMATICAL a 02U ~~~au ,a2u

= R'G'u + (R'C'+G'L')e + L'C'
DESCRIPTION OF ANALYZED FACILITY aX2 at at2 .(2)
Symmetrical-copper-twisted-pair is usually observed a= R'G'i + (R'C'+G'L') at + L'C'a2
AX 2 At2
as a transmission line with distributed parameters.
Strong analysis of such facility demands application
of theory of electromagnetic fields. Considering that The system of equations (1), in general case, is not
such approach converges to wave equations, which, possible to solve in closed form. Therefore, in
except in very small number of special cases of ideal theoretical analysis simpler cases are considered,
symmetry, is impossible to solve, or it is very hard to those for which system (1) can be solved in closed
reach it in closed form. Theory has proved that, with form. One of such cases is augmentation of analyzed
sufficient accuracy, it is possible to apply theory of system, with a harmonic component of frequency w.
electric circuits in analysis of transmission lines, in For signals of complex harmonic structure, it obtained
this document a mathematic model will be formed results worth for each harmonic component
based on the theory of electric circuits. individually.
The theory of electric circuits is significantly simpler After relatively simple mathematic transformations, it
than the theory of electrical-magnetic field, because is possible to show that, when voltage and current at
instead of electric of magnetic field, as relevant the end of line are known, U2 and I2, than voltage and
coordinates of analyzed system, it uses electric current at any point at the distance x, Ux and Ix, from
voltage and current. the end of line, can be calculated by relations defined
In that context, solving of transmission line assumes with (3):
finding a function of distribution of current and
voltage, for each point in space and each moment in UX = U2ch6x + ZI2shpc
time. (3)
Starting bases for analysis of transmission lines is Ix =z-shc + I2chSc
elementary cell of line length Ax, where Ax is small
enough to consider parameters of such part of line
concentrated, as shown in figure 1. Where new symbols are introduced y and Z,
determined by relations (4) and (5)
i R'Ax
. f L'Ax
+.
y=V(R'+jWL'XG'+jWC') =a+ j18 (4)
|R'+jcid'
zc C-G'+joC'
= (5)

Ax
and have meanings of propagation constant per unit
length and characteristic impendence of line,
Fig 1. Elementary cell of transmission line length Ax respectively. Parameters a and / present in relation
(4) describe attenuation per unit length and phase
Primary parameters of line, R', L', G' and C', in the delay per unit length.
starting phase of creation of mathematic model, shall
be considered constant values. With such
assumptions, the complete transmission line is
1R'+jcoL'||G'+jcoC' + RG'-L' C'co 2 (6)
practically made of cascade linked elementary cells
from the figure 1. A R'+jctL'||G'+jcC'- R'G'+L'C' t2
(7)
If an appropriate equation is put by Kirchhoff laws,
after elementary transformations, following system of
equations is obtained Values defined by relations (4) and (5) are called
secondary parameters of transmission line.
au(x,t) RVi(X t) + L' ai(x,t) In relations (3), with U, and I, marked are space
ax at . (1) voltage and current vectors (underline under letter is
ai(x,t) G'u(x t)+ C' au(x,t) omitted)
ax at
U. U(x)ejO(x) (8)
These equations are in literature called
telegrapher's equations. Ix = I(x)ej'Y(c)
The system of equations (1) is possible to modify
so those equations contain only voltage or only Solution of the system (1) in the previous context,
current: can be put in following form [1],[2]

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 48th International Symposium ELMAR-2006, 07-09 June 2006, Zadar, Croatia
u(x, t) = 2U(x)cos(ot + 0(x))
(9)
i(x, t) = VI(x)cos(ost + V(x))
3. SPECIFICS OF MATHEMATIC MODEL,
DUE TO DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER LINE
In telecommunications, the primary goal is to
properly transmit a message from the sender to the
receiver, i.e. to provide that the signal at the receiving
side (as physical carrier of information), should be as
much as possible similar to the signal on the sender's
side.
An ideal case occurs, if a transmission line can be
considered a linear system of transmission, i.e. if the
signal at the start of line s(x,t) corresponds to the
signal at the end of line a s(x,t-to), i.e. a signal which
is by it form identical to the signal at the start of line,
but attenuated in amplitude by value a, and with
present delay, expressed with value to.
If transmission line meets so called Heaviside
condition:
R' L' (10)
G' C'
Then the relation (4) is summarized down to a form
given with relation (11).
y =R'G'+ j Lc (11)
The line that meets requirement (10) is in literature
usually distortion-less line, or Heaviside line. Relation
(11) shows that attenuation per unit length (therefore
attenuation also) regardless of frequency, and that
phase delay per unit length (therefore phase delay
also) is linearly dependent on frequency. It is not hard
to conclude that the distortion-less line represent a
linearly transmission system, which means that as
such it is desirable for application in
telecommunications.
However, real copper lines cannot meet the
requirement (10), because they have ratio R'IG' of
order 105, while ratio L'IC' is order 104. In order for
such line to, at least closely, meet the Heaviside
condition, sometimes inductivity per unit length of
transmission lines is artificially increased, by addition
of so called Pupin coils. Considering that the method
of treatment of signal (in basic and transposed
volume) at DSL, is not possible to connect with
addition of coils, thus it is not possible to create
condition (11) at these lines, i.e. it is not possible to
ensure linear shape of transmission system. It should
be noted that at higher frequencies, due to skin-effect
the R' is growing and L' is decreasing, which means
that condition (10) is even harder to meet on such
frequencies.
If parameters of transmission line on one frequency
meet condition
R'<<coL' (12)
G'<< coC
then we are talking about a line without losses, where
attenuation per unit length is equal to zero, and
longitudinal phase delay linearly depends on
frequency. Relation (4) in that case is
y= w j ' (13)
Unfortunately, it is not possible to meet
requirement (12), on frequencies available to DSL
services.
4. ANALYSIS OF SELECTED PRACTICAL
CASES
In this section we will analyze relations mentioned
in previous two sections, on two real facilities - cable
with air-paper insulation and lead shield and cable
with polyethylene insulation and aluminium shield.
Further in the text, these two cables will have
abbreviated names as paper cable and PE cable.
First observation will be of any pair from paper
cable. It is assumed that primary parameters of
observed pair are constant. Numerous values of those
parameters are shown in table 1.
Table 1. Values of primary parameters of paper cable
R,O'[Q/km] Ri,'[GQkm] L'[mH/km] C'[nF/km]
300 10 0.6 38
It is noticeable that instead of conductivity by
length unit, in the second column of table 1. insulation
resistance is stated in length unit. It could be shown
that those two values are equivalent, if we start from
fact that insulation resistance is basically reciprocity
value of conductivity of the observed pair
R I 1 1 1 R'in
(14)
G G'l Cl /
Value of loop resistance by length unit relates to
the temperature of 20°C. In the practice, for a cable
laid in the ground, it can be assumed that average
temperature of soil during a year is 12°C, which by
application of well known formula
RI'= Rl., 11 + a, (T TO)] (15)
results in decrease of value of the loop resistance by
length unit, to approximately 290 Q/km. In this
relation with aT a temperature quotient of copper
resistance marked.
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 48th International Symposium ELMAR-2006, 07-09 June 2006, Zadar, Croatia

x 10 INSULATION RESISTANCE SLABLJENJE

2v 90r

1.80 80

1.6 -
70
E 1.4 -

0 60-
a) 1.2 - a
." 120 r 50-

nf 40-
o 0.8 Co

30-
06
20-
0.4

02 10

0 0
0 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 0 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Line length (km) Line length (km)

Fig 2. Dependence of insulation resistance on length Fig 4. Dependence of attenuation on length of pair on
of pair different frequencies

Figure 2. graphically shows dependence of Attenuation per unit length a is determined by

insulation resistance of pair on the length of pair. relation (6), where numeric values are taken from
Graphic layout is obtained by application of relation table 1. Lowest inclination corresponds to frequency
(14), where value G' is reciprocity value of Rj,' from 20 kHz, and highest to frequency 1,1 MHz. It is
table 1. visible that for each frequency the inclination of line
Figure 3. graphically shows dependence of loop is different, which is expected because, according to
resistance on the length of pair. This layout is relation (6), attenuation per unit length depends on the
obtained by application of relation frequency. It is also noticeable that on relatively lower
frequencies, inclination of directions is increasing by
RI= RIl (16) increase in frequency, than in case of higher
frequencies, where appropriate lines begin to overlap.
because of which the obtained chart is a linear Dependence of attenuation per unit length a/ on
function of the pair length 1. frequency can be approximate by the function of
Figure 4. shows functional dependence of attenuation square root.
It is not difficult to make similar analysis for PE
of ai on the length of pair 1 for different values of cable, where appropriate parameters, from table 1, are
frequency basically identical.
al=a l (17)
5. RELEVANT RESULTS OF MEASURING ON
2500
LOOP RESISTANCE
SELECTED FACILITIES
For the case of paper cable, results obtained during
2000
practical measuring in real conditions, are shown in
following tables.[3]
O 1500

n
1(0
Table 2. Measured values of insulation resistance,
ioo
loop resistance and achieved transmission rate of
ADSL service for various lengths of copper pair in
500 0
case of paper cable
Insulation resistance
length (GQ) Rs rate (kb/s)
0L ( Q

o 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ab aO bO up down
Line length (km)
1 27 27 36 240 1024 7168
Fig 3. Dependence of loop resistance on length of 2 21 11 13 481 1024 4256
pair 3 12 9 11 722 928 3616
4 9,4 7 8,2 963 832 1184
5 7,1 5,1 7,1 1205 640 736
6 7,6 5,2 5,5 1445 480 192
7 4,9 3,7 4,8 1684 0 0
8 4,1 3,9 4,7 1923 0 0

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 48th International Symposium ELMAR-2006, 07-09 June 2006, Zadar, Croatia

Table 3. Measured values of attenuation on various ATTENUATION - CABLE PAPER

80r
frequencies for various length of copper pair in case
of paper cable 70

60
duNna
attenuation (dB)
m
r 50
20k j40k 100k 200k [300k 500k 780k [LIM
5' 40
1 6,9 6,9 7,1 8,5 10 12,4 15,6 18,7 C,)
2 11,2 12,1 14,1 16,7 19,9 25 31,9 35,1 n' 30
3 15,6 17,9 20,7 24,8 29,4 37 48,3 54,6 20
4 20,3 23,4 27,4 32,5 39 47,9 55,9 62
10
5 25 29 34,1 40,7 48,9 58,5 64,3 68,2
6 29,7 34,6 40,6 48,3 59 66,3 67,3 70,1 0° 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
7 34,4 40,3 47,2 55,9 65,9 68,8 69,1 70,9 Line length (km)

-8I 39,1 45,8 54,3 65,7 67,2 68,6 69,6 71,7

Fig 7. Dependence of attenuation on various
frequencies of length of pair in case of paper cable
Corresponding graphic layouts are given as BIT RATE UPSTREAM/DOWNSTREAM - CABLE PAPER
follows. 8000 r
INSULATION RESISTANCE - CABLE PAPER
40r 7000 0-

35 6000 0

_ 30 5000
E
(925 4000

20 m 3000

o 15
2000
10
1000 r

O0 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
0 Line length (km)
1 2 3 4 5 6 8
Line length (km)

Fig 8. Dependence of achieved bit rate of

Fig 5. Dependence of insulation resistance on length transmission through copper pair on its length in case
of pair in case of paper cable of paper cable

2000 r
LOOP RESISTANCE - CABLE PAPER In case of PE cable, corresponding tables and
graphic layouts are shown as follows.
1800 0

1600

1400

) 1200

en
*n 1000
Q

800

600

400

200 _
i 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Line length (km)

Fig 6. Dependence of loop resistance on length of

pair in case of paper cable

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 48th International Symposium ELMAR-2006, 07-09 June 2006, Zadar, Croatia

Table 4. Measured values of insulation resistance, pairs, on both types of cable, are within limits of up to
loop resistance and achieved speed of transmission of ± 2%, for each of given sizes.
ADSL service for various lengths of copper pair in
case of paper cable. 250 r
INSULATION RESISTANCE - POLYETHYLENE

Insulation resistance b
length (GQ) Rs speed (kb/s) 200
(
ab aO bO up down E
o
(5
0,58 214 238 242 138 1024 8064 e) 150
1,16 183 206 200 276 1024 8064
1,74 172 168 179 413 1024 8064 O 1000
2,32 138 94 93 550 992 8064
2,9 85 59 86 688 977 7330 50
3,48 73 55 74 826 960 5024
4,06 64 45 66 964 940 4755
0L
o 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
4,64 53 23 61 1101 928 4328 Line length (km)
5,22 42 35 58 1239 810 4172
5,8 35 24 56 1377 672 4000 Fig 9. Dependence of insulation resistance on length
6,38 27 25 51 1514 522 3660 of pair in case of PE cable
6,96 25 24 46 1651 384 3232
LOOP RESISTANCE - POLYETHYLENE
7,54 21 16 41 1787 0 0 2000r

8,12 19 22 33 1924 0 0 1800 X 4 - 4 A

1600 'l

1400
E
1200 A
Table 5. Measured values of attenuation at various X 1000
frequencies for various lengths of copper pair in case
-

0) 800 -A
of PE cable 80
6600 - t

400 X
[length attenuation (dB)
(km)
20k
I
40k 100k]0k 0k ]
500k | 780k
J
liM] 200 X -

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
0,58 4,6 4,7 4,8 5,7 7,9 9,9 11,6 Line length (km)
1,16 7,8 8,3 9,8 11,3 15,8 19,4 23,5
1,74 10,7 12,2 14,4 16,6 23,5 28,8 34,5 Fig 10. Dependence of loop resistance on length of
2,32 13,8 16,3 19,2 22,2 31,2 38,7 45,2 pair in case of PE cable
2,9 17 20,2 23,9 27,5 39,1 48,5 56,5
ATTENUATION - POLYETHYLENE
3,48 20,4 24,2 28,8 33,2 45,7 59,3 65,7 90r
4,06 23,6 28,2 33,5 38,7 50,2 63 72,1 80
4,64 27 32,3 38,4 44,3 55,3 69,8 77,4
70
5,22 30,2 36,3 43,1 50,5 63,2 71,6 80,2
5,8 33,6 40,4 47,9 58,3 67,1 76,2 82,1 m 60-

6,38 36,8 44,4 52,4 63,4 72,8 77,5 82,8 (U 50

.2)
6,96 40 48,4 57 66,9 77,8 81,5 84,3 en
*a) 40
7,54 43,9 52,6 62,1 72,2 79,9 83,1 85,5
/) 30-
. 8,12 46,8 56,4 66,9 75 80,8 83,8 85,9
Considering that the insulation resistance is pretty 20-

unstable value, for each individual pair 10 measuring 10

were done, where two results which showed highest OL
deviation were discharged. In tables 3 and 5 are 0 2 3 4 5
Line length (km)
6 7 8 9

medium values of measured results.

Apart from measuring of referenced values, Fig 11. Dependence of attenuation on various
measuring was done on impulse sound, broadband frequencies on length of pair in vase of PE cable
sound, and characteristic dependency. These values,
as it is already known, do not depend significantly on
the length of pair. Measured results, for all subject

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 48th International Symposium ELMAR-2006, 07-09 June 2006, Zadar, Croatia

9000 r
BIT RATE UPSTREAM/DOWNSTREAM - POLYETHYLENE Now it is interesting to analyze also the impact of
measured values on bit rate of transmission of ADSL
8000 service.
7000 Considering the speed for upstream, we can say
that there is no significant difference in achieved
6000
speeds, except that PE cable has reached somewhat
n 5000 higher end reach (around 500 meters), in relation to
- 4000
paper cable.
m
3000 INSULATION RESISTANCE - COMPARISON
250 r - - - 1
2000

1000 _
200
O00 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 E
o

Line length (km) (i

150

Fig 12. Dependence of achieved bit rate of

transmission through copper pair on its length in case O 100
of PE cable
50

6. ANALYSIS AND COMPARISON OF

RESULTS 0o_ 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Line length (km)
Firstly, we will give a short comment of results of
measuring of loop resistance and attenuation, and Fig 13. Comparison of values of insulation resistance
compare observed behaviour of those parameters, for both types of cable
with actual theoretic formulation related to them.
Loop resistance has shown very small deviations of Figure 14. shows achieved bit rate of transmission
measured values, in relation to those values which are for both types of cable on one diagram
theoretically calculated. This was expected, because
the resistance of loop was measured with application BIT RATE UPSTREAM/DOWNSTREAM - COMPARISON
9000 r
of direct current.
Attenuation of signal (at both types of cable) shows 8000
on lower frequencies good reconciliation between 7000
practical and theoretical results. On higher
frequencies (500 kHz and higher) noticeable is a 6000

difference between practical and theoretical results, n 5000

which can be expressed through non-linear form of - 4000
attenuation curve. Subject difference can be explained m
by the fact that on higher frequencies the skin-effect is 3000

more expressed, which results in increase of 2000

resistance per unit length R', where at the same time 1000 _
inductivity per unit length L' is decreased.
When the subject is comparison of attenuation O00 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
between two treated types of cable, it is noticeable Line length (km)

that the paper cable, on higher frequencies, shows by

intensity slightly smaller attenuation than the PE
cable. Linear form of characteristics on lower and
non-linear form of characteristics on higher
frequencies is a common characteristic for both types
of cable.
Insulation resistance is significantly lower on paper
cable than on the PE cable, which is best shown on
comparison diagram, figure 13. [3] Dominant
examples of this difference are age of paper cable in
relation to PE cable and structure of used insulation
material (treated PE cable has a filling between
conductor and insulation, which prevent penetration
of moisture, while paper cable does not have such
filling).
Fig 14. Comparison of values of achieved bit rate of
transmission (upstream and downstream) for both
types of cable
On rates, which are related to downstream,
noticeable are significant differences, which are
observed at lengths of pairs of 1 km.[3]On length of
pairs to 4.5 km (which is usually maximum length of
pair which have diameter of 0.4 mm) PE cable
allowed rate over 4 Mb/s, while paper cable on the
same length has achieved rate slightly higher than 1
Mb/s. Maximum measured speed of 8 Mb/s the PE
cable has achieved before 2.5 km, while paper cable

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 48th International Symposium ELMAR-2006, 07-09 June 2006, Zadar, Croatia
could not maintain the speed even at the length of 1
km.
7. CONCLUSION
Figure 14. undoubtedly speaks about very big
difference between achieved speeds of transmission
on two types of low-band subscriber cables - cables
with paper insulation and cable with insulation of
polyethylene, with additional filling.
By comparison of measuring results, it is obvious
that, even though there are two types of cable, of
which one is in exploitation over two decades, and the
other one ten times less, the value of attenuation and
loop resistance do not differ significantly. Also,
measured values and sizes, like characteristic
impendence on various frequencies, impulse noise
and wideband noise (which are partially measured and
analyzed, though they were not primary subject of
analysis here), do not differ significantly on paper and
PE cable.
One size whose measuring showed significant
difference on two observed types of cable was
insulation resistance. Most significant examples of
this are described in section VI.
Transmission rate of ADSL service was observed
as a value of quality of treated pairs. As shown, here
are observed significantly different results, both on
paper and PE cable.
Conclusion is that the value of insulation resistance
of copper line significantly impacts the speed of
transmission which could be achieved on that line.
346
Naturally, the speed of transmission is not only
influenced by insulation resistance only, but also
many other factors. However, having in mind that
measuring on both observed cables were done in
almost identical outdoor conditions (temperature and
humidity of environment, presence of various sources
of electrical magnetic radiation, etc.), it can be said
that the value of insulation resistance is one of
dominantly important parameters for evaluation of the
quality of subscription local loop.
REFERENCES
[1] M. Hajro, N. Behlilovic: ,,Electric Circuit I",
lectures for ISt year of studies , ETF Sarajevo,
2005.
[2] Robert A. Bartkowiak: ,,Electric Circuit
Analysis", John Wiley & Sons, 1985,
[3] A. Begovic: ,,Measuring in access networks", JP
BH Telecom, Sarajevo, Head Office Zenica,
2003,
[4] J.C.Bic and al.: ,,Elements of Digital
Communication", John Wiley & Sons, 1991,.
[5] Wyk J.H, Linde LP: ,,ADSL Capacity in a
Network Enwiromment", Proceedings of the
IEEE Africon 2002 Conference, pp 233-238
[6] N. Laskarian, S. Kiaei: ,,Capacity Optimization
for ADSL System" , IEEE Transactions on
Communications, 2001