AJA ADA4 User Guide

ADA4

4-Channel Bi-directional

Audio A/D and D/A

Converter

User Manual

October 30, 2008 P/N 101662-01

For ADA4 Serial Number H43000 or Later

®

2

Trademarks

®

AJA

, KONA

trademarks of AJA Video, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

Notice

Copyright © 2008 AJA Video, Inc. All rights reserved. All information in this manual is subject to
change without notice. No part of the document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form,
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, without the
express written permission of AJA Inc.

FCC Emission Information

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in
accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful
interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by AJA Video can effect emission compliance
and could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.

Contacting Support

To contact AJA Video for sales or support, use any of the following methods:

443 Crown Point Circle, Grass Valley, CA. 95945 USA

Telephone: [phone] or +1.530.274.2048
Fax: [phone]

Web: http://www.aja.com
Support Email: [e-mail]
Sales Email: [e-mail]

When calling for support, have all information on the product (serial number etc.) at hand prior to
calling.

®

, and XENA

®

are registered trademarks of AJA Video, Inc. Io HD

™

and Io

™

are

Limited Warranty

AJA Video warrants that this product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of five years from
the date of purchase. If a product proves to be defective during this warranty period, AJA Video, at its option, will either
repair the defective product without charge for parts and labor, or will provide a replacement in exchange for the defective
product.

In order to obtain service under this warranty, you the Customer, must notify AJA Video of the defect before the expiration
of the warranty period and make suitable arrangements for the performance of service. The Customer shall be responsible
for packaging and shipping the defective product to a designated service center nominated by AJA Video, with shipping
charges prepaid. AJA Video shall pay for the return of the product to the Customer if the shipment is to a location within
the country in which the AJA Video service center is located. Customer shall be responsible for paying all shipping charges,
insurance, duties, taxes, and any other charges for products returned to any other locations.

This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure or damage caused by improper use or improper or inadequate
maintenance and care. AJA Video shall not be obligated to furnish service under this warranty a) to repair damage resulting
from attempts by personnel other than AJA Video representatives to install, repair or service the product, b) to repair
damage resulting from improper use or connection to incompatible equipment, c) to repair any damage or malfunction
caused by the use of non-AJA Video parts or supplies, or d) to service a product that has been modified or integrated with
other products when the effect of such a modification or integration increases the time or difficulty of servicing the
product.

THIS WARRANTY IS GIVEN BY AJA VIDEO IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED. AJA VIDEO AND ITS VENDORS DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. AJA VIDEO’S RESPONSIBILITY TO
REPAIR OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS IS THE WHOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY PROVIDED TO
THE CUSTOMER FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER AJA VIDEO OR THE VENDOR HAS ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

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AJA ADA4 4-Ch Bi-directional Audio A/D and D/A Converter User Manual — Introduction

Introduction

Features

Block Diagrams

The ADA4 is a 4 channel converter which can be configured as a 4 channel A/D, a 4
channel D/A, or 2 channel A/D and 2 channel D/A. The ADA4 can accept a AES11,
wordclock, or video sync/color black reference input for synchronization. Reference
input and synchronization is automatic. Audio levels are configurable via dipswitch
control.

Simultaneous A/D and D/A, or AES Synchronizer
Full-time AES11 low jitter reference output
Up to 4 channels of balanced analog to AES/EBU audio
Up to 4 channels of AES/EBU to balanced analog audio

1

Supplied XLR breakout cable
AES11/Wordclock/Tri-level Sync/Color Black Reference Loop
Adjustable Audio Levels
Sample Rate Conversion Between 96KHz and 48KHz
Dipswitch configuration
5-18VDC Power

3

Analog Audio Ch . 1 or

AES/EBU Ch. 1/2 In

Analog Audio Ch. 2 In

Analog Audio Ch . 3 or

AES/EBU Ch. 3/4 In

Analog Audio Ch. 4 In

Reference Loop

Reference Loop

Analog Audio Ch. 1 or
AES/EBU Ch. 1/2 Out

Analog Audio Ch . 2 Out

Analog Audio Ch. 3 or
AES/EBU Ch. 3/4 Out

Analog Audio Ch . 4 Out

Input A

Input B

Input C

Input D

Audio

A/D

Audio

D/A

Audio

A/D

Audio

D/A

Clock

Gen

Dipswitch 1

Dipswitch 2

Output A

Output B

Output C

Output D

ADA4, Normal Mode Block Diagram (Jumper 2 Installed), A/D or D/A

AES-11 Out

4

AES/EBU Ch. 1/2 In

n/a

AES/EBU Ch. 3/4 In

n/a

Reference Loop

Reference Loop

Audio

D/D

Input A

Input B

Input C

Input D

Audio

D/D

Clock

Gen

Output A

Output B

Output C

Output D

ADA4, Synchronizer Mode Block Diagram (Jumper 2 Removed), D/D

AES/EBU Ch. 1/2 Out

n/a

AES/EBU Ch. 3/4 Out

n/a

AES-11 Out

AJA ADA4 4-Ch Bi-directional Audio A/D and D/A Converter User Manual — I/O Connections

I/O Connections

Sync Input

Passive Loop

BNCs

AES/EBU Sync Output

+ 5 to 18VDC

BNC

Power

Input

Audio I/O
D-connector
(attaches to
supplied cable)

Configuration

1

Determined by
DIP switch on
other side of
Converter

5

Cable
Not Shown
To Scale

ADA4 and Cable, Side View

6

User Controls

Normal Mode
(Jumper #2
Installed)

The user interface for the ADA4 is a 4-switch DIP
accessible through a cut-out in the bottom of the
unit, and an internal 3-position jumper block

DIP Switch Setting

LEFT RIGHT

1 2 3 4

accessed by removing the ADA4 cover (secured by
4 screws). Use the jumper to configure the mode of
operation ( Normal or Synchronizer ).Then use the
DIP switches—if necessary— to configure
channels and audio levels.

The exact function of the jumper settings and each
DIP switch are described on the following pages.

Factory default switch settings are all in the
leftmost position.

Normal mode is the default operating mode of the ADA4 as shipped from the factory. In

Normal mode, the ADA4 performs A/D or D/A audio conversion as configured by the 4
DIP switches. In the factory Normal configuration, the internal jumper #2 is installed and
no jumper changes are required. DIP switch settings are discussed below:

Switch 1 (CH1/2: A/D or D/A)—Select type of conversion for
channels 1 and 2

:

LEFT RIGHT

Select Analog to Digital
Conversion

Select Digital to Analog
Conversion

Switch 2 (CH3/4: A/D or D/A)—Select type of conversion for
channels 3 and 4

:

LEFT RIGHT

Select Analog to Digital
Conversion

Select Digital to Analog
Conversion

AJA ADA4 4-Ch Bi-directional Audio A/D and D/A Converter User Manual — User Controls

Switches 3 and 4 (LEVEL)—Controls audio levels (see matrix below)

Note:

VU reading corresponds to +4 dBu. Connecting a professional +4 dBu device to a consumer
audio input -10dBV (
device probably does not have sufficient power to drive a professional audio input. With
consumer and semi-professional audio equipment, a VU reading of 0 dB is typically
referenced to -10 dBV. 0 dBu = 0.775 VRMS.

Professional audio equipment has much higher levels than consumer equipment: a 0

-7.8 dBu)

may cause overloading, whereas the output of a consumer

Output Level Selection Matrix For Switches 3 and 4

The following table shows the combinations of DIP switch settings required to configure the
audio output levels shown.

1

DIP Switch #4

(LEVEL 2)

0 0 Pro USA: 0dBFS

0 1 Pro Europe: 0dBFS

1 0 Pro Germany: 0dBFS

DIP Switch #3

(LEVEL 1) Output Level

→

→

→

+24dBu

+18dBu

+15dBu

7

48 KHz/96KHz
Output Mode
(Jumper 1)

Synchronizer
Mode
(Jumper #2
Removed)

1 1 Consumer: 0dBFS

Jumper#1 selects how the AES outputs and the AES11 reference output run. If Jumper 1 is
installed, they run in 48 KHz mode. If Jumper 1 is removed, they run in 96 KHz mode.

Synchronizer mode is an alternative operating mode where no audio A/D or D/A conversion

takes place. Instead, it allows for an AES input to be sample rate converted and reclocked to
reveal an AES output that is low jitter, and—when a reference signal is applied—locked to
reference. In this mode the DIP switches are ignored and all configuration options are set via
a 3-position jumper located inside the ADA4 case. To access this jumper, remove the four
phillips screws securing back side of the ADA4 case (the side having the DIP switch access
hole in it). Once the case cover is removed, you can easily identify the jumper by its
appearance. Jumper positions 1 through 3 are clearly marked on the circuit board next to the
jumper. Refer to the following diagram for jumper settings and their meaning.

→

+12dBu

1.

2.

3.

•

•

4.

•

8

Jumper 1:

Jumper 2:

Jumper 3:

1 23

1 2 3

123

Example:

Example:

Note:

96kHz output mode selec ted
(jumper effectively removed).

Normal mode selected.

Jumper 3 is not used, but is provided as
a spar e.

Meaning:

Jumper 1 installed—48kHz: Any AES outp uts and the A ES-11

reference output are running in 48kHz mode.

Jumper 1 removed—96kHz: Any AES ou tputs and t he AES- 11

reference output are running in 96kH z mode.

Meaning:

Jumper 2 installed—Normal Mode: S witches 1 and 2

independantly define A/D or D /A mode for their
respective pair of channels. Switches 3 and 4 are
used together to define the audio level.

Jumper 2 removed—Synchronizer Mode: Switches 1-4 have

no effect. The ADA4 is in D/D mode, with the out put
re-timed to the reference signal, when applied.
Without a reference signal applied, the ADA4 re­clocks the output based on it s s table free-runni ng
local osci llator.

Meaning:

n/a: Jumper 3 is not used.

Jumper 3

Lock LED

Installation

ADA4, Internal Jumper Settings

Jumper#3 is currently unused.

An LED is located next to the BNC connectors which shows the type of signal locked (if
any). Here are the meanings of the LED colors:

Red = HD lock

Green = SD lock

Amber = AES-11 lock or Word Clock lock

Typically, ADA4 installation consists of the following:

disconnect +5VDC from the converter

configure the DIP switch for the desired equipment configuration

connect video equipment to the converter BNCs

apply +5VDC power to the converter (AJA power supply model DWP)

Specifications

AJA ADA4 4-Ch Bi-directional Audio A/D and D/A Converter User Manual — Specifications

Item Specification

Analog Audio I/O Balanced, XLR. One Channel per XLR connector.

AES Audio I/O Balanced 110 ohm, XLR. Two Channels per XLR

Analog Audio Levels (with Respect
to Full Scale Digital)

Audio Converters 24 bit, 48/96 KHz

User Controls External Dipswitch:

Size 5.8" x 3.1" x 1 (147 x 79 x 25mm)

Power 5-18V, 3 watts. Requires power supply.

Reference Loop 75 Ohm (unterminated). HD/SD Sync, AES-11, or

connector.

+24dBu (SMPTE RP155), +18dBu (EBU R68),
+15dBu (Germany), +10dBV (consumer +12.2 dBu)

1

Channel 1/2: A/D, D/A
Channel 3/4: A/D, D/A
Audio Level 1
Audio Level 2

Wordclock (48/96 KHz)

9

10

pin 2

pin 3

pin 1

pin 2

pin 3

pin 1

Input A

Input B

Input C

Input D

Output A

Output B

Output C

Output D

ADA4

pin 1

pin 14

End View: Side View:

ADA4 Cable

Channel Index

= Analog Ch. 1 or AES Ch. 1/2

= Analog Ch. 2

= Analog Ch. 3 or AES Ch. 3/4

= Analog Ch. 4

= Analog Ch. 1 or AES Ch. 1/2

= Analog Ch. 2

= Analog Ch. 3 or AES Ch. 3/4

= Analog Ch. 4

Input A

Input B

Input C

Input D

Output A

Output B

Output C

Output D

pin 13

pin 25