COBHAM SOLO2, SOLO4 User Manual

Page 1 Specifications subject to change without notice

, 18th October 2004

SOLO2 and SOLO4
Users’ Manual

Users’ Manual

Version 2.8

7 October 2009

Cobham Surveillance

Domo Products
11 Manor Court, Barnes Wallis Road, Segensworth,
Hampshire, PO15 5TH, England

T: [phone]
F: [phone]

2

1 Table of Contents

1 Table of Contents .................................................................................... 2

2 Change History........................................................................................4

3 About this Manual.................................................................................... 5

4 Introduction............................................................................................. 6

5 Warranty and Support..............................................................................7

5.1 Warranty Cover.........................................................................................7

6 Safety, Compliance and Approvals ...........................................................8

6.1 Safe Operating Procedures.........................................................................8

6.2 EMC / Safety and Radio Approvals ..............................................................8

6.3 CE marking ..............................................................................................8

7 Getting Started and Basic Operation.......................................................10

7.1 Which Model do I have? ........................................................................... 10

7.2 Getting Started with the Transmitter ...........................................................15

7.3 Getting Started with the SOLO Receiver ..................................................... 22

7.4 Powering on the System........................................................................... 31

7.5 Domo Batteries and Battery Charging.........................................................33

7.6 Using the Clip On 1W Amplifier ................................................................. 35

7.7 Using the booster 5W Amp ....................................................................... 37

8 Advanced Operation .............................................................................. 41

8.1 SOLO System PC Controller Application Software ....................................... 41

8.2 Transmitter Control Application..................................................................43

8.3 Receiver Control Application ..................................................................... 51

9 NETSTREAM IP Output Option ...............................................................59

9.1 General Info............................................................................................ 59

9.2 Streamer ................................................................................................59

9.3 Web Server ............................................................................................59

10 Software Decoder .................................................................................. 62

10.1 General Information .................................................................................62

10.2 Decoding Multicast Streams...................................................................... 63

10.3 Encrypted Streams .................................................................................. 65

10.4 Main Decoder Window ............................................................................. 67

10.5 Decoding Locally Stored Files ................................................................... 69

10.6 Miscellaneous application options .............................................................. 69

11 Fault Finding ......................................................................................... 71

11.1 Indicated Faults....................................................................................... 71

11.2 Fault Symptoms ...................................................................................... 72

12 LED Indicators....................................................................................... 73

13 Receiver On Screen Display ................................................................... 74

13.1 Input Status Page.................................................................................... 74

13.2 RF Advanced Page..................................................................................75

13.3 Engineering Data Page ............................................................................ 76

13.4 GPS Overlay........................................................................................... 76

13.5 Frequency Scan Page..............................................................................77

13.6 On Screen Display Control........................................................................ 80

14 Connector Pin Outs ...............................................................................84

3

14.1 Power - 4-pin 0B LEMO Socket (TX and RX)...............................................84

14.2 Control Data and Expansion - 16-pin Hirose 3500 series connector & 0.1”

OEM header (TX Only).........................................................................................84

14.3 Control Data and Expansion - 16-pin Hirose 3500 series connector & 0.1”

OEM header (RX Only) ........................................................................................84

14.4 Combined A/V - 5-pin 0B LEMO socket (TX Only)........................................ 85

14.5 Audio - 5-pin 0B LEMO socket (Solo4RX) ................................................... 85

14.6 Audio - 3-pin 1B LEMO Socket (old style RX Only)....................................... 85

14.7 RS232 Control - 3-pin 0B LEMO Socket (old style RX Only) ..........................85

15 Control Protocols .................................................................................. 86

15.1 RS232 Control – General Principles ...........................................................86

15.2 Packet Structure Sending (from PC)........................................................... 86

15.3 Packet Structure Reply (from controlled device)...........................................87

15.4 Transmitter Command List........................................................................ 88

15.5 Receiver Command List ........................................................................... 94

16 Default Configurations ........................................................................... 98

4

2 Change History

Version

Main Changes from Previous Version

Edited By

v1.0

Initial Release

MB

V1.1

Removed error stating that transmitter does not
support RS232 data

MB

V1.2

Warning added for static discharge on antennas

MB

V1.3

Additional information added:
Battery Charging
Clip on Amp
OSD analysis
Error in MPEG4 transmitter commands
corrected.

MB

DE

V1.4

Audio levels corrected
SOL4RX Added

MM
MB

V1.5

Updated chaining mode RS232 commands

MB

V1.6

Added new Solo4RX box Audio connector
details

NMcS

V1.7

Added new TX and RX controller sections for V2
controllers, added new TX system diagram,
updated Software Decoder

NMcS

V1.8

Updated receiver remote control commands list

MZ

V1.9

Added detail on Software decoder licensing

NMcS

V2.0

Added the User name and Password required to
Browse to the IP Streamer

NMcS

V2.1

Added MPEG audio and I Q trim commands

NMcS

V2.2

Added missing 1.25MHz entry in receiver
remote control commands list

MZ

V2.3

Added video frame lock mode in receiver
commands list. Removed 625-line format mode
(obsolete command)

MZ

V2.4

V2.3 converted to new Cobham template

AT

V2.5

Added new down-converter details

NMcS

V2.6

Added new OSD manual section and related
receiver remote commands
Fixed section numbering and TOC

RL

V2.7

Updated transmitter remote commands

RL

V2.8

Updated transmitter remote commands

TPM

5

3 About this Manual

This manual describes the operation of domo SOLO2 and SOLO4
digital wireless systems. The manual is divided into three main
sections.

• Getting started and basic operation

This section describes to users how to deploy and use a domo SOLO
system.

• Advanced operation

This section describes the operation of the system in more detail,
concentrating particularly on how to store and recall configurations, wit

h

use of the PC Controller Application.

• Technical reference

This section provides technical specification and control protocol data
and will be of interest to those integrating the SOLO system into larger
systems.

6

4 Introduction

The domo SOLO4 and SOLO2 product range enables the user to build
wireless digital microwave video systems. The domo SOLO4 and
SOLO2 products have been designed to provide rugged point-to-point
links for high quality full frame rate video, and audio, even in non line of
sight and urban environments.

Existing analogue systems suffer from impairments such as video noise,
loss of colour information and poo

r image quality when line of sight
cannot be maintained, and solutions based on wireless internet
standards and PC platforms deliver poor quality video.

The domo SOLO4 and SOLO2 system is a digital system that uses the
COFDM modulation technique, which effectively eliminates the
problems caused by multipath and reflections.

The SOLO product range allows law enforcement, surveillance and
emergency service

communities to now receive the highest quality

video images, in real time, direct from personnel, buildings and vehicles.

The domo SOLO2 system employs the DVB-T 2K carrier COFDM
technology.

The domo SOLO4 system employs a revolutionary narrow band

2.5MHz COFDM technology which demonstrates better propagation for
longer range links, and extra bandwidth efficiency. The domo SOLO4
system can also be upgr

aded to include a 1.25MHz COFDM modulation

and MPEG4 compression for excellent range performance.

The domo SOLO4 and SOLO2 systems employ common transmitter
and receiver hardware.

• The SOLO4 and SOLO2 transmitter is a lightweight, low-power

transmitter suitable for body-worn applications where size, weight and
power consumption are at a premium.

• For longer range applications such as vehicle transmissions, the

SOLO4 or SOLO2 transmitter can be upgraded with the use of a
booster amplifier.

• The SOLO4 and SOLO2 receivers are diversity input receivers with

extensive built in spectrum analysis tools. The receivers can be fitted
with an optional NETSTREAM card, which then gives the option of
streaming the received video onwards over IP networks.

IMPORTANT NOTE

The SOLO4 and SOLO2 product range has been specifically designed for government
security and law enforcement users, the equipment will tune across frequencies that are
only available to licensed government users. Non-government users should employ the
equipment restricted to the license exempt bands only typically 1.389 to 1.399GHz, 2.400
to 2.483GHz and 5.725 to 5.875GHz

7

5 Warranty and Support

5.1 Warranty Cover

domo offers a 12 month standard product warranty. During this period,
should the customer encounter a fault with the equipment we
recommend the following course of action:

• Check the support section of the website for information on that product

and any software/firmware upgrades. If fault persists;

• Call our support line and report the fault. If fault persists and you are

informed to return the

product please obtain an RMA number from the
domo support department, and ship the equipment with the RMA
number displayed and a description of the fault. Please email the
support section the airway bill/consignment number for tracking
purposes.

• If you have extended warranty provisions then domo will send an

immediate advance replacement to you. Under most circumstances
this must be returned once the

fault item is repaired.

Depending on the nature of the fault domo endeavor to repair the
equipment and return it to the customer within 14 days of the item
arriving at our workshops.

Obviously it is impossible to cater for all types of faults and to manage
100% replacement part availability, and delays are sometimes
inevitable. This is why domo recommend that its customers take out an

extended warranty

(which includes advanced replacement of faulty
items), and/or hold a basic level of spare parts, which can be held by
domo on the customer’s behalf.

Please contact domo for details of packages that can be tailored to meet
your individual needs, whether they are service availability, technical
training, local geographic support or dedicated spares holdings.

8

6 Safety, Compliance and Approvals

6.1 Safe Operating Procedures

• Ensure that the power supply arrangements are adequate to meet the

stated requirements of each SOLO4 or SOLO2 product.

• Operate within the environmental limits specified for the product.

• Do not subject the indoor equipment to splashing or dripping liquids.

• Only authorized, trained personnel should open the product. There are

no functions that required the User to gain access to the interior o

f the

product.

6.2 EMC / Safety and Radio Approvals

The equipment has been designed to meet and has been tested against
the following harmonized EMC and safety standards:

• EN 301 489-1 & EN 301 489-5

• EN 61000-3-2:2000

• EN 61000-3-3:1995

• EN 55022:1998, Class B

• EN 61000-4-2:1995

• EN 61000-4-3:1996

• EN 61000-4-4:1995

• EN 61000-4-5:1995

• EN 61000-4-6:1996

• EN 61000-4-11:1994

• EN 60950:2000

• The license exempt equipment (SOL2TX-138139, SOL2TX-240248,

SOL4TX-138139 and SOL4TX-240248) meets the following radio
approvals.

• EN 302 064-1

6.3 CE marking

The CE mark is affixed to all SOLO4 and SOLO2 products, and the CE
Declaration of Conformity, as well as the technical file are available on
request.

9

10

7 Getting Started and Basic Operation

7.1 Which Model do I have?

Each unit in the domo SOLO4 and SOLO2 product range is marked
with two panels.

• Product Code Panel. Give product code and manufacturers
information.

• CE and Serial Number Panel. Gives CE mark and product
serial number.

The domo product code can be referenced in the table below.

Product Code

Product

Accompanying items

SOL2TX-115140 (1.15 to 1.4GHz)

SOL2TX-228255 (2.28 to

2.55GHz)

SOL2TX-034047 (340 TO
470MHz)

SOL2TX-057067 (575 to 675MHz)

SOL2TX-310340 (3.1 to 3.4GHz)

SOL2TX-488515 (4.88 to 5.1GHz)

SOL2TX-560590 (5.6 to 5.9GHz)

SOL2TXLE-138139 (1.389 to

1.399GHz)

SOL2TXLE-240248 (2.4 to

2.483GHz)

100mW DVB-T
Digital Video
transmitter

Cables:

Video and audio 2m

Control 3m

DC Power 2m

SOL4TX-115140 (1.15 to 1.4GHz)

SOL4TX-228255 (2.28 to

2.55GHz)

SOL4TX-034047 (340 TO
470MHz)

SOL4TX-057067 (575 to 675MHz)

SOL4TX-310340 (3.1 to 3.4GHz)

SOL4TX-488515 (4.88 to 5.1GHz)

SOL4TX-560590 (5.6 to 5.9GHz)

100mW DVB-T
and Narrow
Band Digital
Video
transmitter

Cables:

Video and audio 2m

Control 3m

DC Power 2m

domo SOL4TX-228255

S-Band

Made in the UK

11

SOL4TXLE-138139 (1.389 to

1.399GHz)

SOL4TXLE-240248 (2.4 to

2.483GHz)

SOL2RX

SOLO2
Receiver

Additional Units:

Cables:

2 lengths of 3m low loss RF
cable

AC/DC power supply

Video 3m

Audio 3m

Control 3m

SOL4RX

SOLO4
Receiver

Additional Units:

Cables:

2 lengths of 3m low loss RF
cable

AC/DC power supply

Video 3m

Audio 3m

Control 3m

SOLAMP1W

1W Clip on
Amp

AMP 1W Clip On Video TX
SOL2 or SOL4 1.25 to 2.5Ghz

Note: SOLO2 / 4 Receivers are available in two box styles, referred to as Box Style 1 and
Box Style 2, through the remainder of the document.

Note: Receivers are made frequency specific by the addition of the appropriate down­converters.

DC-100140

L-band to UHF
down-converter

For use with SOLRX receiver

DC-225265

S-band to UHF
down-converter

For use with SOLRX receiver

DCB-450500

C-band to UHF
down-converter

For use with SOLRX receiver

DCB-550600

5.7GHz to UHF
down-converter

For use with SOLRX receiver

Note: DC-XXXXXX units are old style square down-converters. DCB-XXXXXX
are new style Barrel down-converters. See section

12

Controls

Transmitter Control Panels:

SOLO2 and SOLO4 transmitters are equipped with a standard LED
(Light Emitting Diode) and push button panel. The panel is as depicted
below, and the buttons and LEDs have meanings as explained in the
table.

LED / Button

Colour

Meaning / Use

Alarm LED

Red

When lit indicates alarm or fault condition on equipment. Usually

means no lock to incoming video.

Front Panel Lock

LED

Yellow

When lit indicates the stream is encrypted (v 3 software and above)

RF LED

Green

Transmitter: When lit indicates RF output is active.

LED 1 to 8

Green

Indicates which of the 8 stored configurations is currently selected.

Range Mode

LEDs

Green

SOLO2 Transmitter: These LEDs have no function

SOLO4 Transmitter: Indicates range mode

Ultra Long Range: 1.25MHz QPSK FEC1/3 (optional)

Long Range: 2.5MHz QPSK FEC1/3

Medium Range: 2.5MHz QPSK FEC2/3

Short Range: 2.5MHz 16QAM FEC2/3

RF Button

-

Transmitter:

Pressing the RF button toggles the units RF output between OFF

and ON.

Holding down button toggles unit into standby mode.

Config Button

-

The config button when pressed selects the next configuration from

memory.

Holding down button toggles front panel lock.

Mode Button

-

SOLO2 Transmitter – No function

SOLO4 Transmitter – Toggles between the range modes previously

described.

CONFIG

RF

1
2
3
4

5
6
7
8

RF

ALARM

MODE

13

Receiver Control Panels:

SOLO4 and SOLO2 Receivers can be fitted with one of two LED (Light
Emitting Diode) and push button panel styles depending on model type

Receiver Panel Style 1, Fitted on Box Style 1.

Receiver LED and Button Meaning on panel Style 1

LED / Button

Colour

Meaning / Use

Alarm LED

Red

When lit indicates alarm or fault condition on equipment. Usually

means no lock to incoming RF, or encrypted video that can not be

de-encrypted.

Front Panel Lock

LED

Yellow

When lit indicates the stream is encrypted.

RF LED

Green

Indicates RF lock when ON.

LED 1 to 8

Green

Indicates which of the eight stored configurations is currently

selected.

Range Mode

LEDs

Green

Indicates approximate signal strength level

1 LED On = low signal level

2 LED On = medium signal level

3 LED On = good signal level

4 LED On = very good signal level

RF Button

-

Pressing the RF button toggles the OSD (On Screen Display

Function) of the receiver, and cycles between pages (see section

13).

Config Button

-

The config button when pressed selects the next configuration from

memory.

Mode Button

-

No Function

CONFIG

RF

1
2
3
4

5
6
7
8

RF

ALARM

MODE

14

Receiver Panel Style 2, Fitted on Box Style 2.

Receiver LED and Button Meaning on panel Style 2

LED / Button

Colour

Meaning / Use

Alarm LED

Red

When lit indicates alarm or fault condition on equipment.

RF LED

Green

Receiver:

When lit indicates receiver has signal lock.

LED 1 to 8

Green

When lit permanently, indicates which of the eight stored

configurations is currently selected.

RF Button

-

Receiver:

Pressing the RF button enables/disables the on screen display

diagnostic function.

Config Button

-

The config button when pressed selects the next configuration from

memory.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

RF

CONFIG
ALARM

RF

15

7.2 Getting Started with the Transmitter

Cables and Connections

This section describes how to connect the following domo model
numbers.

• SOL2TX-115140 (1.15 to 1.4GHz)

• SOL2TX-228255 (2.28 to 2.55GHz)

• SOL2TX-034047 (340 TO 470MHz)

• SOL2TX-057067 (575 to 675MHz)

• SOL2TX-488515 (4.88 to 5.1GHz)

• SOL2TX-560590 (5.6 to 5.9GHz)

• SOL2TX-310340 (3.1 to 3.4GHz)

• SOL2TXLE-138139 (1.389 to 1.399GHz)

• SOL2TXLE-240248 (2.4 to 2.483GHz)

• SOL4TX-115140 (1.15 to 1.4GHz)

•

SOL4TX-228255 (2.28 to 2.55GHz)

• SOL4TX-034047 (340 TO 470MHz)

• SOL4TX-057067 (575 to 675MHz)

• SOL4TX-488515 (4.88 to 5.1GHz)

• SOL4TX-560590 (5.6 to 5.9GHz)

• SOL4TX-310340 (3.1 to 3.4GHz)

• SOL4TXLE-138139 (1.389 to 1.399GHz)

• SOL4TXLE-240248 (2.4 to 2.483GHz)

The picture below shows the domo SOLO2 and SOLO4 transmitter.

The domo transmitter is supplied with the following cables.

• Combined Video and Audio 2m

16

• Control 3m

• DC Power 2m

The domo transmitter should be connected as shown below.

As a typical example – including the control link from the PC,.

Audio Cable

Data and Control Cable

DC Power Cable

Antenna

To Computer

To Computer

To Camera

17

Video and Audio

Push the LEMO connector into the socket labelled ‘AV’, taking care to
align the connectors. Connect the video and audio sources.

Connector

Signal

Video BNC

75 ohm composite video source, PAL or NTSC

software selectable

Audio Plugs

Line / Microphone level audio, switchable.

Line level -2dBu clip level low impedance

source (< 600 ohm)

Microphone level 12, 24, 36 and 48dB preamp

stages software switchable

Microphone power is provided on the audio connectors at approximately 3V (suitable for
Electret microphones)

Typically the video source will be a small colour or black and white CCD
camera.

Typically the audio source will be an Electret microphone.

DC Power

The transmitter unit can be powered from a nominal 12V DC supply or
an AC to DC adapted supply.

Push the LEMO connector on the DC power cable into the socket
labelled 12V, taking care to align the connectors. Connect the banana
connectors on the other end of the ca

ble to a suitable DC source.

The 12V DC input has the following characteristics.

• Input Voltage Range – 5.9V to 16V, reverse voltage protected.

• Current draw - 0.48 to 0.4A at 12V (mode dependant)

domo can supply optional AC to DC converter blocks to power the
transmitter unit, the domo part number is PSU12

18

Antennas

domo transmitters are supplied as standard without antennas. An
antenna must be connected for normal operation. The transmitter unit is
supplied with a panel mounted SMA connector which carries the RF
output. The antenna should be connected by screwing it onto the SMA,
but care should be taken to not over tighten the connector.

The transmitter has the following RF output characteristics.

RF Spec

Model
Number
ending ­034047

Model
Number
ending ­057067

Model
Number
ending ­115140

Model
Number
ending ­228255

Model
Number
ending ­138139

Model
Number
ending ­240248

Output

Frequency

340 to

470MHz

575 to

675MHz

1.15 to

1.40GHz

2.28 to

2.55GHz

1.389 to 1.399

GHz

2.400 to 2.483

GHz

Output

Bandwidth

2.5MHz

2.5MHz

2.5MHz

2.5MHz

2.5MHz

2.5MHz

Output

Power

100mW

(nominal)

100mW

(nominal)

100mW

(nominal)

100mW

(nominal)

100mW

(nominal)

10mW

(nominal)

Output

Impedance

50 ohm

50 ohm

50 ohm

50 ohm

50 ohm

50 ohm

RF Spec

Model
Number
ending ­310340

Model
Number
ending ­488515

Model
Number
ending ­560590

Output

Frequency

3.1 to

3.4GHz

4.88 to

5.15GHz

5.6 to 5.9GHz

Output

Bandwidth

2.5MHz

2.5MHz

2.5MHz

Output

Power

100mW

(nominal)

100mW

(nominal)

100mW

(nominal)

Output

Impedance

50 ohm

50 ohm

50 ohm

Note. It is recommended that the antennas be connected directly to the transmitter unit.
The use of RF cables at this point will degrade the performance of the system.

The optimum choice of antenna will vary according to application. The
following table gives some suggestions for suitable transmit antennas
with the associated domo part number.

19

Application

Antenna model number

Mobile body worn application

1.00 to 1.40GHz - ANTBCL

2.28 to 2.50GHz - ANTBCS

Mobile vehicle application

1.00 to 1.40GHz – ANT4L

2.28 to 2.50GHz - ANT4S

4.80 to 5.15GHz – ANT6C

Long range point to point link

1.00 to 1.40GHz – ANT12L

2.28 to 2.50GHz – ANT12S

Note. When using antenna types ANT4L, ANT4S, ANT6C, ANT12L and ANT12S
with domo transmitters SMA to TNC adaptor connectors will be needed.

Other antennas for more specialist applications, such as aircraft use or
covert surveillance use are available on request from domo.

Control Cable

The control cable is used for connecting the transmitter unit to a PC
when using the domo PC control application. The PC control
application is described in more detail the Advanced Operation section
of this handbook.

Installation Notes

The domo transmitter has been designed specifically for body worn
applications; however it is a general-purpose wireless video transmitter
and can be used in many applications including the following.

• Body worn portable applications

• Vehicle based applications

This section gives guidelines for how to install the transmitter in the
above applications.

20

Body Worn Applications

Body worn applications will either be covert or overt and this will dictate
the style of antennas and mounting of cameras. For overt applications
domo can supply a harness as shown below (domo part number
ACCBCH)

With all body worn systems the antenna should be selected to transmit
power away from body and domo recommends the use of the domo
body worn antenna (part numbers ANTBCL and ANTBCS).

Experimentation has shown that unlike traditional analogue systems,
front and rear antennas are not normally required. The nature of
COFDM and its immunity to reflections will ensure that the signal
normally bounces back t

o the receive site even when the operators

body is between the transmit and receive antenna.

In covert applications, ultra slim patch antennas can be used. domo
does not supply patch antennas directly, but can recommend
manufacturers on request.

The SOLO4 and SOLO2 transmitter has been successfully tested with a
wide variety of standard and pinhole cameras. domo does not supply

cameras, but can recommend

suitable cameras and suppliers on

request.

The domo transmitter will become warm to the touch after prolonged
operation, and so insulation between the operators’ body and the
transmitter unit should be considered.

The SOLO2/SOLO4 transmitter is splash resistant, but is not
waterproof, so it should not be exposed to moisture for prolonged
periods.

21

Vehicle Applications

Typically, in vehicle applications, a greater range is required than with
body worn applications, therefore the use of additional power amplifiers
must be considered.

domo offers a range of power amplifiers. Interconnection between the
transmitter and any power amplifier should be kept as short as possible,
but where this is not possible, special attention should be taken to use

only

low loss cables. An appropriate cable might be RG213C/U. It is
essential to minimise the distance between the amplifier and the
antenna.

Mounting of the transmitter should use the mounting holes provided.

The transmitter is equipped with a self-regulating 5.9 to 16V input that
can be connected directly to the vehicle battery. Power conversion will
be required for 24V vehicles.

The video input can be con

nected across long video cable lengths so

remotely mounted cameras should pose no problem.

The transmitter is splash resistant, but is not waterproof, so it should not
be exposed to moisture for prolonged periods. The transmitter is self­cooling; however it should be mounted in a ventilated environment.
Forced air cooling is not required.

22

7.3 Getting Started with the SOLO Receiver

Connections

This section describes how to connect the following model numbers.

• SOL2RX

• SOL4RX

The SOLO receiver is normally purchased with Cobham Surveillance down-converters.

There are two versions of Cobham Surveillance domo down­converters; an older square box version and a later Barrel
Down-converter.

The square box variants have product codes DC-XXXXXX.

• DC-100140

• DC-225265

• DC-310340

It is the addition of the down-converters that makes the system
frequency specific.

The SOLO Receiver is supplied with the following components.

• Two RF cables, 3m

• Video cable 3m

• Audio cable 3m

• Control cable 3m

• AC / DC Power adapter

23

The picture below shows the two types of domo weatherproof down
converter.

L-Band and S-Band

Barrel down-converter

The Solo4 Receiver must be configured with the correct down-converter
Local Oscillator (LO) Frequency and down-converter LO side. These
numbers are specific to the type and frequency band of the down­converter.

The SOLO4 downconverter converts the received signal from
microwave frequencies to UHF frequency and applies gain allowing the
signal to run down cables without loss. This down-conversion allow

s
the domo SOLO Receiver to be mounted remotely from the receive
antennas. The down-converter is available as either a standard nominal
9dB gain model (DCB) or high gain variant (DCBX) nominal 19dB gain.

24

Square down-converter

New Style Barrel down-converter

NOTE : The LO Frequency setting in the SOLO4 Receiver controller has
changed compared to the older square L-Band (1.1 to 1.4GHz) and S-Band
(2.28 to 2.55GHz) products. The LO frequency MUST be set absolutely
correctly for the system to work properly. This can be set using the Solo4
Receiver controller software – see section 3.3 of this manual for details on
use of the controller.

RF Parameters

L-Band

DC-100140

S-Band

DC-225265

Frequency In

1000MHz
to
1500MHz

2250MHz
to
2650MHz

Local Oscillator

1700MHz

1880MHz

High Side or Low Side

High

Low

Gain (DC variant)

9dB

9dB

Gain (DCX variant)

19dB

19dB

RF Parameters

L-Band

DCB-100150

L-Band

DCB-150200

S-Band

DCB-200250

S-Band

DCB-250300

3GHz

DCB-300350

C-Band

DCB-450500

C-Band

DCB-550600

Frequency In

1000MHz
to
1500MHz

1500MHz
to
2000MHz

2000MHz
to
2500MHz

2500MHz
to
3000MHz

3000MHz
to
3500MHz

4500MHz
to
5000MHz

5500MHz
to
6000MHz

Local Oscillator

1800MHz

2300MHz

1700MHz

2200MHz

2700MHz

4200MHz

5200MHz

High Side or
Low Side

High

High

Low

Low

Low

Low

Low

Gain (DCB
variant)

9dB

9dB

9dB

9dB

9dB

9dB

9dB

Gain (DCBX
variant)

19dB

19dB

19dB

19dB

19dB

19dB

19dB

25

There are two styles of domo SOLO receiver box shown below.

domo SOLO receiver with Box style 1.

domo SOLO receiver with Box style 2.

26

The domo SOLO2/4 receiver system with panel style 1 should be
connected as shown below.

IF In1

IF IN2

DC

Audio

Video

Control, data and
Chaining

Antenna 1

Antenna 2
3m TNC Cable

3m TNC Cable

DC
Cable

Video
Cable

Audio
Cable

100 cm

27

The domo SOLO2/4 receiver system with panel style 2 should be
connected as shown below.

IF In1

IF IN2

DC

Audio

Video

Control

Antenna 1

Antenna 2
3m TNC Cable

3m TNC Cable

DC
Cable

Video
Cable

Audio
Cable

100 cm

LAN
Cable

Chain

LAN

Data

28

Diversity, Antenna Positioning and Use of Down Converters

Note: Domo down converters can be damaged by static electricity discharge when
connecting antennas. It is suggested that only antennas with built in DC path to ground
are employed to avoid static damage. If this can not be achieved then antennas should be
shorted to ground before connection to the down converter.

The domo SOLO2/SOLO4 receiver is a diversity receiver and will give
optimum results only when two antennas are deployed. The down­converter boxes should be connected to the receiver, by connecting the
3m TNC cables supplied between the down converter connector
labelled ‘RX / IF OUT’ and the receiver connector labeled ‘IF IN’. Care
should be taken not to over tighten the TNC connectors.

The down-conve

rters convert the RF signal down from microwave
frequencies to the UHF band, which allows the signals to be run along
longer cables without degradation. In the case of the standard domo
SOLO receiver 3 metre long cables are provided, allowing the down­converters to be positioned remotely from the receiver.

It is important that the down-converter be positioned very close to the
antenna - long cables sh

ould not be used between the antenna and the

down converter because this can degrade system performance.

Typically antennas and down converters will be positioned outside,
usually on the roof of a building or a vehicle. The down-converters can
be located outside, because they are weather proof. However the
receiver is not weather proof and the 3 metre cables should be used to

allow the receiver to be

positioned in an equipment room, rack or

housing.

The domo SOLO2/SOLO4 receiver uses an advanced diversity
technique called maximum ratio combining to construct a good
spectrum from two potentially damaged received signals. To get the
best results from diversity, the antennas should be physically separated
by at least 100cm.

Sometimes better results can be achieved by separating the antennas

further, or

by positioning them of different corners of a building. The
optimum antenna placement depends on the environment in which the
equipment is used and the signal path, and is often limited by physical
factors (accessibility for example).

The domo SOLO2/SOLO4 receiver is supplied without antennas since
the optimum choice of antenna will depend on the operational scenario.
For short range or mobile applicati

ons, omni directional antennas such
as ANT4L, ANT6C or ANT4S will be most suitable whereas for longer
range fixed links, or where mobile transmit activity is happening in a
defined 120 degree arc the higher gain ANT12L or ANT12S will be
more suitable.

Antennas should be screwed directly to the TNC input of the down
converter labeled ‘ANT/RF IN’.

Video Output Connection

Connect the video output lead to the BNC connector labeled ‘VIDEO’ on
the SOLO receiver and to the chosen video display device.

29

Connector

Signal

Video BNC

75 ohm composite video output, PAL or NTSC

software selectable at the transmitter

Typically the video display device will be a high quality monitor.

Audio Connection

Push the LEMO connector into the socket labeled ‘AUDIO’, taking care
to align the connectors and connect the chosen audio output device.

Connector

Signal

Audio Plugs

Line level, +7dBu clip level, low impedance

source (20 ohm)

Typically the audio output device will be monitoring speakers.

DC Power

The SOLO2/SOLO4 Receiver is powered from a nominal 12V DC
supply.

As standard domo supply an AC to DC converter, terminated with a
LEMO connector on the DC power output. Push the LEMO plug into the
socket labelled ‘12V’, taking care to align the connectors. Connect the
AC adapter block to your local mains electricity supply, noting the mai

ns

supply requirements detailed on the adapter.

The 12V DC input has the following characteristics.

For Box style 1.

• Input Voltage Range – 9V to 16V, reverse voltage protected.

• Current Draw – 0.9A at 12V

For Box style 2.

• Input Voltage Range – 10V to 18V, reverse voltage protected.

• Current Draw – 1.0A at 12V

domo can supply optional bare DC power leads, for connection or
hardwiring to other DC source

s. The domo part number is CABDC3

30

Control Cable

The control cable is used for connecting the SOLO receiver to a PC
when using the domo PC control application. The PC control
application is described in more detail the Advanced Operation section
of this handbook.

Data Connection

The SOLO receiver features a general purpose DATA port used for
outputting RS232 data transmitted from a SOLO2/4 transmitter.

Installation Notes

The domo SOLO receiver has been designed so that the down­con

verter units are mounted remotely from the receiver unit, and

connected via the 3 metre TNC cable.

The down-converter units should be connected directly to the receive
antenna, but where this is not possible a short length of low loss RF
cable such RG213C/U should be used. System performance will be
degraded by the introduction of RF losses at this point.

The down converter should be screwed or strapped

to a flat surface or
pole, using the integral mounting holes on the unit. The down converter
is weather proof, and has no special cooling requirements. If the down­converter is mounted where it is exposed to the weather then the
connector labelled ‘ANT / IN’ should face upwards.

The antenna itself should be separately secured, the TNC connectors
should not be expected to take the strain of the anten

na.

The domo SOLO2/SOLO4 receiver is designed to be mounted in an
equipment rack or shelter and must not be exposed to the elements.
The receiver is splash resistant, but is not waterproof, so it should not be
exposed to moisture for prolonged periods.

The receiver is self-cooling; however it should be mounted in a
ventilated environment. Forced air cooling is not required. Adequate

clearance on either

side the receiver (5cm) should be allowed for

ventilation.

The receiver is supplied with a mounting plate that allows the unit to be
screwed or strapped to a flat surface.

31

7.4 Powering on the System

All external connection to the SOLO2/SOLO4 products should be made,
as described in the previous sections, before proceeding to power on
the system.

Applying power to the Solo Receiver

On powering the SOLO2/SOLO4 receiver, one of the eight green
configuration LEDs on the control panel will light (which one depends on
which configuration was active when the receiver was switched off).
The red Alarm LED may light if the receiver is unab

le to lock to a signal.

Applying power to the transmitter

When powering the transmitter directly from a 12V source, or from a
connected battery, the following will be observed.

If none of the LEDs on the control panel light then the transmitter may
be in standby mode. If this is the case then press, and hold the RF
button for more than one second.

One of the eight green configuration LEDs on the control panel will light
(which one depen

ds on which configuration was active when the

receiver was switched off).

The alarm LED may be lit, typically if there is no active video source.

Switch On RF on the transmitter

On the transmitter unit control panel, press the RF button briefly until the
RF LED lights. This indicates that the RF output is active, and that the
unit is transmitting.

If the receiver is able to receive the transmitted signal, the receiver RF
LED will ligh

t indicating receiver lock, and the receiver ALARM LED

should go out.

Video and audio signals will be presented automatically at the receiver
outputs.

Changing Configuration

domo SOLO2/SOLO4 equipment features eight user selectable and
programmable configurations. By default, all 8 configurations are set to
the values which are listed in Section 16, Default Configurations. The
configuration that is currently active is indica

ted by which of the eight
configuration LEDs is lit on the control panel. Pressing the ‘CONFIG
button on the control panel of any domo SOLO equipment will select the
next configuration in order.

On the SOLO transmitters, changing a configuration turns off the RF
output to prevent accidental transmission and potential interference. The
RF output must manually be re enabled once the user is confident tha

t

the correct configuration has been selected.

Modifying the default configurations is done from the PC control
application, as described in the section on Advanced Operation.

32

Standby

Any of the SOLO2/SOLO4 transmitters can be placed in a low current
consumption standby mode by pressing and holding the RF button for
one second. The LEDs will go out indicating that the unit is in standby
mode.

Pressing and holding the RF button for one second brings the unit back
out of standby mode.

Diagnostic On Screen Display

The SOLO2/SOLO4 Receiver is equipped with a diagnostic on screen
display. This facility will ‘burn’ d

iagnostic data onto the video output for
test and set-up purposes. Pressing the RF button will enable this facility
and a diagnostic screen will appear in the video as shown below.

The displayed diagnostic data includes a spectrum display, signal to
noise data, input power level and frequency. The received spectrum
display is useful when checking for interference signals, the SNR
indicated signal quality. For more information on use of this facility a
domo training course is recommended and more information is available
in section 13 of this manual.

Using the OSD as a Set-up / Diagnostic Tool

The On Screen Display (OSD) is an extremely useful tool for system
set-up and diagnostic.

When setting a domo system up the OSD should be used in the
following way.

Check Channel is Clear

With the transmitter OFF, check that the channel is empty of
interference signals, this is confirmed by ensuring that the reported
power in the channel is at –99dBm and that the spectrum is shown as a
rounded dome with no obvious spikes or tones.

Chec

k Quality of Link

Switch on the transmitter and confirm that SNR is 6 or greater and that
power level is at least –92dBm or greater. This represents

33

approximately a 5dB margin. Failure of the link will occur when the
power level reaches –97dBm or the SNR reaches 2dBm

Using the transmitter Range Mode Button

The Range Mode button and LEDs on the SOLO2/SOLO4 transmitter,
has the following function.

SOLO2 transmitter: No Function

SOLO4 transmitter: Selects the range of the transmitter.

On a SOLO4 transmitter, the user can select various range
characteristics, by repeatedly pressing the Range

Mode Button, these
can be toggled. The user should be aware that increasing the range will
have the effect of reducing the image quality and increasing the video
delay.

• Ultra Long Range: 1.25MHz QPSK FEC1/3 (optional) (Lowest
Image Quality)

• Long Range: 2.5MHz QPSK FEC1/3

• Medium Range: 2.5MHz QPSK FEC2/3

• Short Range: 2.5MHz 16QAM FEC2/3 (Highest Image Quality)

7.5 Domo Batteries and Battery Charging

Although domo equipment can be powered directly from user 12V
batteries, domo also supplies a rechargeable battery pack. The
following domo battery items are described in this section.

SOLBAT: 7.2V 4AH rechargeable NiMH battery pack.

SOLBCH: Battery Charger

SOLBCC: Adaptor cable that allows SOLBAT to connect to SOL2/SOL4
TX.

CONFIG

RF

1
2
3
4

5
6
7
8

RF

ALARM

MODE

Range Mode
Button
Ultra Long Range

Short Range

34

Using the SOLBAT

The domo SOLBAT is used for powering domo transmitters.

The domo SOLOBAT can not be connected directly to the SOL2/SOL4
Transmitter, instead it must be connected using the SOLBCC adaptor
cable. The SOLBCC adaptor cable provides an interface between the 4
pin DC In Lemo on the transmitter and the 6 pin DC Out Lemo on the
battery. The cable is shown below.

When connected a fully charger SOLBAT will power the transmitter for
more than 4 hours.

Charging the SOLBAT

The SOLBAT can be recharged by connecting it to the SOLBCH battery
charger. The SOLBAT battery can be connected directly to the
SOLBCH battery charger, the interface cable is not required. When
connected the SOLBAT indicator LED has the following meaning.

LED Yellow: Battery not connected.

LED Orange: Battery fast ch

arging.

LED Green / Yellow flash: Battery ‘Top Off’ final charging

LED Green: Charging Complete / trickle charging

LED Orange / Green flash: Error

Approximately 2 hours should be allowed for a full charge of the
SOLBAT battery.

35

7.6 Using the Clip On 1W Amplifier

Additional range can be achieved by connecting the SOLAMP1W clip
on amplifier to the domo SOLO2/SOLO4 transmitter.

Connections

This section describes how to connect the following model numbers.

• SOLAMP1W

The domo SOLAMP1W is supplied with the following cables:

• RF Cable (SMA to SMA semi-rigid bridge cable)

• DC Power Cable (with Control breakout)

• Lemo to Dtype control cable

Amplifier Connection

The domo SOLAMP1W is designed to mount directly onto the
SOL4/SOL2 transmitter. The following steps should be taken.

1. Screw the SOL2/SOL4 transmitter down onto the SOLAMP,
using the 4 screws provided.

2. Connect the RF output of

the transmitter (SMA) to the RF input
of the amplifier (SMA) using the short semi rigid SMA cable
provided. The SOLAMP is designed to work directly with the
SOL2/SOL4 transmitter.

3. Using the double-headed 16pin Hirose cable, connect one end
to the transmitter Hirose socket, and the other end to the
amplifier Hirose socket.

4. The 3 pin Lemo spur protruding from the double-headed Hirose
cable breaks ou

t the SOL2/SOL4 transmitter RS232 control
lines. The 3 pin male Lemo to Dtype cable should be
connected here when control of the transmitter from the RS232
PC application is required.

36

The assembled system is shown below.

DC Power and Control Cable

The SOLAMP is powered by the SOL2/SOL4 TX and no additional
power is required. However the voltage range when using the SOLAMP
is more limited.

• Input Voltage Range: 11-16V, reverse voltage protected.

• Current Draw 1.2A (Includes SOL2/SOL4 TX) at 12V.

Antennas

Domo SOLAMP is supplied without antennas as standard. It is good
practice to ensure that an antenna is always connected before powering
the device. Pr

olonged operation without an antenna is not
recommended. The antenna should be connected by screwing it to the
TNC Type output connector with adapters as required, but care should
be taken not to over-tighten.

Note: It Is recommended that where possible antennas should be connected
directly to the SOLAMP. Use of cables will degrade performance.

37

Installation Notes

The domo SOLAMP has been designed specifically for vehicle
applications, however it is a general-purpose amplifier and can be used
in many applications including the following.

• Vehicle applications

• Aircraft applications

• Long Range fixed links

Interconnection between the SOLAMP transmitter and the antenna, or
any intermediate optional power amplifier should be kept as short as
possible. Special atte

ntion should be taken to use only low loss cables.
An appropriate cable might be RG213C/U. It is essential to minimise the
distance between any amplifier and the antenna.

The SOLAMP is equipped with a self-regulating 12V input that can be
connected directly to the vehicle battery. Power conversion will be
required for 24V vehicles or 28V aircraft systems.

The SOLAMP is splash resistant, but is NOT water

proof, so it should not
be exposed to moisture for prolonged periods. The SOLAMP is self­cooling; however it should be mounted in a ventilated environment.

7.7 Using the booster 5W Amp

Additional range can be achieved by connecting the AMP5W-xxxxxx
booster amplifier to the domo SOLO2/SOLO4 transmitter.

Connections

This section describes how to connect the following model numbers.

• AMP5W-120140

• AMP5W-230250

The domo AMP5W-xxxxxx is supplied with the following cables:

• RF Cable

• DC Power Cable

38

RF Connection

The domo AMP5W has the following input power requirements.

AMP5W-120140: Input Power 100mW or 20dBm

AMP5W-230250: Input Power 10mW or 10dBm

Therefore care must be taken when connecting the AMP5W-230250
product to either SOLO2 or SOLO4 transmitter. The output power of
the transmitter will need to be reduced when connecting to the AMP5W­230250 amplifier, this can be done using the built in digital at

tenuator

using the PC Software GUI, or by fitting an RF attenuator in line.

Ideally when balancing the 5W Amplifier and domo transmitter a power
meter should be employed, this will give best results, because cable
losses can be factored.

39

The amount of attenuation required is shown bellow.

Note the SOL4TXLE-138139 (1.389 to 1.399GHz), SOL4TXLE-240248 (2.4 to 2.483GHz),
SOL2TXLE-138139 (1.389 to 1.399GHz) SOL2TXLE-240248 (2.4 to 2.483GHz)must not
be connected to 5W PA, because these elevated power levels are not permitted in the
license exempt bands.

AMP5W-120140

AMP5W-230250

SOLO2 Transmitter

0dB Attenuation

10dB Attenuation

SOLO4 Transmitter

0dB Attenuation

10dB Attenuation

If customers are concerned about balancing the input power when connecting 5W
amplifiers, then they should contact domo directly.

DC Power

Push the connector on the DC power cable into the socket labelled
‘12V, taking care to align the connectors. Connect the banana
connectors on the other end of the cable to a suitable DC source.

The 12V DC input has the following characteristics.

• Input Voltage Range – 12V +/- 1V, reverse voltage protected.

• Current Draw 7.5A AMP5W-230250, 2.5A AMP5W-120140

Antennas

domo 5W Amp is supplied without antennas as standard. It is good
practice to ensure that an antenna is always connected before powering
the device. Prolonged operation without an antenna is not
recommended. The antenna should be connected by screwing it to the
N Type output connector with adapters as required, but care should be
taken not to over-tighten.

Note: It Is recommended that where possible antennas should be connected
directly to the 5W Amp. Use of cables will degrade performance.

40

Installation Notes

The domo 5W AMP has been designed specifically for vehicle
applications, however it is a general-purpose amplifier and can be used
in many applications including the following.

• Vehicle applications

• Aircraft applications

• Long Range fixed links

Interconnection between the 5W AMP transmitter and the antenna, or
any intermediate optional power amplifier should be kept as short as
possible. Special atte

ntion should be taken to use only low loss cables.
An appropriate cable might be RG213C/U. It is essential to minimise the
distance between any amplifier and the antenna.

The 5W AMP is equipped with a self-regulating 12V input that can be
connected directly to the vehicle battery. Power conversion will be
required for 24V vehicles or 28V aircraft systems.

The 5W AMP is NOT splash resistant, and is NOT w

aterproof, so it
should not be exposed to moisture for prolonged periods. The 5W AMP
is self-cooling; however it should be mounted in a ventilated
environment. Forced air cooling is employed in the 5W AMP.

41

8 Advanced Operation

8.1 SOLO System PC Controller Application Software

Advanced control of the SOLO2/SOLO4 system is available by using
PC control applications.

Typically users may want to customize the default configurations to
control settings such as frequency, scrambling keys, modulation
parameters, and video resolution.

• The SOLO2 and SOLO4 transmitter products are controlled by the

solo_tx_ctrl.exe application available on the CD delivered with the
product.

• The SOLO2 and SOLO4 receiver is controlled by the solo_rx_ctrl.exe

application available on the CD delivered with the product.

Note that exact file names may change as software version information is a part of domo
file names.

A PC is required with two RS232 Serial COM ports to control both a
transmitter and receiver simultaneously. Where changes are to be made
to either a transmitter, or a receiver, at different times, a PC with a single
RS232 Serial COM part can be used.

Installation of the two control programs is as simple as copying them
from the CD to a suitable location on the PC. No install shield routine is
launched.

Note that the controllers generate their own log and
initialisation files, so it is best to create a dedicated directory for these
applications, perhaps with links to the applications from the desktop of
the PC.

Use the supplied cables to connect the chosen COM port(s) of the PC
to unit(s) to be configured.

Launch each application in turn by double clicking or using the run

command.

Connection with a SOLO

product should be automatic, but the user can
force selection of the correct COM port using the drop down, followed by
the “Connect” button.

Errors such as the following may appear during the connection process
if the PC is unable to automatically ascertain which unit is connected to
which COM port.

• Error attempting to read invalid address

• Error has occurred during polling, polling has been disabled

42

For both controllers, changes can be made to the unit configuration
using the drop down and data entry fields.

Changes are only applied to the unit when the “Apply” button is clicked.

Current values, as running in the unit, can be read using the “Refresh”
button.

Parameters that are status information only appear in greyed in the
application.

Further engineering and configuration controls can be found wi

thin the

“Options” and “File” drop down menus in the application title bars.

43

8.2 Transmitter Control Application

The ‘Advanced’ button allows the user to navigate to the controller page
which exposes all available Transmitter settings.

Output Frequency (MHz)

The transmit frequency can be changed by entering the new desired
frequency in this field. Values outside the range supported by a
particular transmitter type will be rounded to the highest of lowest
supported frequency as appropriate.

The transmit frequency can be set in step size

s of 250kHz.

Engineering
Menu

Polling
Enable

Set Polling
Options

Enter an
Encryption
Key

Enter a
Licence key

Restore
Factory

Connectivity

Status

Video alarm

RF Output
Toggle &
status

Current
selected
Config

All parameter
changes must
be applied

44

Bandwidth Mode

The Bandwidth Mode switches the unit between either domo
Narrowband (2.5MHz or 1.25MHz channel bandwidths) or DVB-T 8MHz
bandwidth. To select 6MHz and 7MHx DVB-T modes the user must first
click on ‘Advanced’ to enter the Advanced setting page.

Audio

Turns ‘On’ or ‘Off’ a basic audio setting – the audio settings are
optimised considering the bit-rate of the selected Transmit mode. The
user can set there own

audio settings using the ‘Advanced’ page, if

required.

Default Transmit Mode

In Narrowband the user has the following pre-defined modes available
from the main window. Note that the Ultra Long Range Mode is only
available to users who have purchased the SOLO4TXUP option
(1.25MHz and MPEG-4 modes). The user can of course define their
own specific FEC, bandwidth and modulation requirements from the
‘Advanced’ page.

Ultra Long R

ange: 1.25MHz QPSK FEC 1/3 (optional)

Long Range: 2.5MHz QPSK FEC 1/3

Medium Range: 2.5MHz QPSK FEC 2/3

Short Range: 2.5MHz 16QAM FEC 2/3

In DVB-T the available modes are

QPSK _ FEC 8MHz 1/32 Guard Interval

QPSK _ FEC 8MHz 1/32 Guard Interval

16QAM _ FEC 8MHz 1/32 Guard Interval

Scrambling

If the AES scrambling option has been purchased for the SOLO2 or
SOLO4 system in use, then it is possible to encrypt the link.

Scrambling
must be enabled at the transmitter by selecting either AES128 or AES
256 in the scrambling field. The actual scrambling key can then be
entered by clicking on the yellow ‘key’ icon.

File Options

Load Config – used for loading a single configuration data from text file.

Save Config - used for saving configuration data to text file.

Load Config Set – used for loading all 8 configurations from a text file

Sa

ve Config Set - used for saving all 8 configurations to a text file

45

Advanced TX Controller Window

Output Frequency (MHz)

The transmit frequency can be changed by entering the new desired
frequency in this field. Values outside the range supported by a
particular transmitter type will be rounded to the highest of lowest
supported frequency as appropriate.

The transmit frequency can be set in step sizes of 250kHz.

Modulation Bandwidth

For the SOLO2 transmitter products, the modulation bandwidths 8, 7 or
6MHz can be selected.

For the SOLO4 tran

smitter products, the modulation bandwidths 8, 7, 6
or 2.5MHz can be selected. If the Ultra Narrow band upgrade has been
purchased the 1.25MHz will also be available to select.

The normal mode of operation is 2.5MHz.

Modulation Output

This control is used to turn on and off the RF output. After a
configuration change, the output always reverts to OFF.

46

Narrow Band FEC

This option applies to SOLO4 transmitters only. The default FEC is 2/3,
however improved range operation can be achieved by selecting FEC
1/3. FEC 1/3 will improve signal range by 3dB. However FEC 1/3
reduces link capacity to 1.2Mb/s therefore reducing picture quality.

FEC

Link Bitrate

Sensitivity

2/3

2.4Mb/s

-99dBm

1/3

1.2Mb/s

-102dBm

Narrow Band Guard Interval

This option applies to SOLO4 transmitters only. The Guard Interval
defaults to 1/16. Interval 1/8 is also available for very long range
(aircraft downlinks) applications.

Narrow Band Modulation

This option applies to SOLO4 transmitters only. The COFDM mode can
be changed between QPSK and 16QAM. QPSK is the default mode
and will give the strongest most rugged RF link performance. Selecting
16QAM reduces the link performa

nce by 5dB but improves the link data

throughput, giving significantly better video quality.

Note: The terminology DVB-T refers to the 8,7,6MHz wide bandwidth modulation
employed in the SOLO2 products. The SOLO4 product is also capable of DVB-T, but this
mode is not recommended for normal operation

DVB-T Service Name

Applicable in DVB-T mode only, defaults to Unit 1. This should not be
changed in normal operation

DVB-T FEC

Applicable in DVB-T mode only, the default FEC is _. Other FEC rates
will all reduce the range of the product, but will improve image quality
and capacity of the link.

47

DVB-T Guard Interval

Applicable in DVB-T mode only. The Guard Interval defaults to 1/32.
Other guard intervals such as 1/16 or 1/8 are available for very long
range (aircraft downlinks) applications.

DVB-T Modulation

Applicable in DVB-T mode only, the COFDM mode can be changed
between QPSK, 16QAM and 64QAM. QPSK is the default mode and
will give the strongest most rugged RF link performance. Selecting
16QAM reduces the link performance

by 5dB but improves the link data

throughput, giving significantly better video quality.

Output Attenuation

This control can be used to make minor adjustments to the output
power level, but in normal operation should be disregarded.

Video Input

This control is used to select the composite video input standard.
Options are PAL, and NTSC both with and without 7.5 IRE pedestal.

MPEG Mode

The default encoding mode is MPEG2, however for SOLO4 products if
the Ultra Narrow Band upgrade has been purchased, then MPEG4 will
also be available. It is recommended that MPEG4 be employed when
the unit is operating at low bitrates (2.5MHz bandwidth FEC1/3 or

1.25MHz bandwidth FEC1/3).

MPEG2 GOP Length

By default MPEG2 GOP length is set to a low delay stripe refresh mode.
This option allows the user to set the GOP length for a standard GOP
structure at the expensive of a

n additional delay.

MPEG4 Encoding Mode

This option is only available on SOLO4 products installed with the Ultra
Narrow Band Upgrade. This defaults to low delay interlace. Other
modes are available but advice should be sought from domo before
selection.

MPEG4 Frame Rate

This option is only available on SOLO4 products installed with the Ultra
Narrow Band Upgrade. This option allows the user to select lower
frame rate encoding (1/2 frame

rate, _, 1/8 etc) It is recommended that

48

MPEG4 reduced frame rates be employed when the unit is operating at
low bitrates (1.25MHz bandwidth FEC1/3).

Video Bitrate

This control can be used to set the video bitrate within the constraints of
capacity available in the channel, but only when “Chaining Input” is set
to ON.

For normal SOLO transmitters, chaining CANNOT be enabled, and as
such video bit rate control is automatic.

The video bit rate is automaticall

y maximised in each configuration

when “Chaining Input” is turned off.

Horizontal resolution

The video coding resolution can be selected from 704, 528, 480 and
352 pixels. Changing the horizontal resolution to lower values will make
the coded picture softer.

Care should be taken to match the horizontal resolution to the resolution
of the camera connected to the transmitter; this will give best image
results.

Audio Encoder

The Audio can be turned on and off with this control. Audio is OFF by
default, but there are several audio modes that vary from very high
quality to speech grade that can be selected with this control. Enabling
audio will degrade the video quality, because some of the available data
capacity is diverted away from video to audio. Selecting high fidelity
audio modes will degrade the video quality more than lower fidelit

y
audio modes. The Audio encoder can also be switched to 32 kHz and
48 kHz MPEG Layer 1 modes; from software V3.3 upwards.

Note: The Solo4 receiver only supports 48 kHz sampling in MPEG Audio mode
and bit-rates in the range 192 to 448kbits/s.

Audio Input Level

This control is used to define the audio gain to be applied to the audio
input signal. 0dB is used for line level audio and various options up to
48dB of gain can be applied for microphone inputs.

Unit Name

This field allows the user to enter an identifier for the service that they
wish to transmit. This must match that selected at the receiver for the
service to be decoded. The unit name can be constructed of

any eight

ASCII characters.

49

Sleep Mode

This control allows the unit to be forced into a Sleep Mode where main
functions are disabled, and the power consumption is significantly
reduced.

Data

With this ON / OFF control the user can select whether the transmitter
passes serial RS232 data across the RF link to the receiver.

Data Baud Rate

This field is used to select the baud rate of any RS232 serial data
component to be passed from the transmitter to the recei

ver across the

RF link.

Chaining Input

This control is not used in current SOLO products.

Chain Number

This control is not used in current SOLO products.

Current Config

This field reports the last loaded configuration number. Note that for the
SOLO transmitter, changes applied after the configuration has been
loaded are saved immediately into the current configuration.

Scrambling

If the AES scrambling option has been purchased for the SOLO2 or
SOLO4 syst

em in use, then it is possible to encrypt the link. Scrambling
must be enabled at the transmitter by selecting either AES128 or AES
256 in the scrambling field. At this point the user will need to ensure that
the correct key is in use and this is done by using Options / Write AES
Key.

The key is a 128bit key for AES128 and a 256bit key for AES256 and is
entered as either 32 or 64 ASCII hexadecimal cha

racters (0..F).

Video Locked (Status Only)

This status information indicated whether the transmitter is successfully
locked to the incoming composite video signal. Unlocked status may
indicate cabling faults, or poor quality incoming video feeds to the unit.

50

Software Version (Status Only)

This status information describes the version of the software running the
SOLO transmitter product.

FPGA Version (Status Only)

This information is for domo engineering use only.

Serial Number (Status Only)

This status information is the electronic serial number of the transmitter
PCB. This number can be exchanged with domo to purchase extra
licensable features, such as upgrades to support AES encryption.

Chaining (Status Only)

This field reports the status of the chaining input to the SOLO
transmitter, and is not active in current units.

Options

Engineering – provides access to further diagnostic and calibration
features. The Diagnostic and Power calibration pages must not be
altered. The Advanced Options under the Engineering menu allow the
user to Change RS232 address, which can be useful when connecting
multiple units together via a multi drop RS485 bus for control purposes.
The

Serial control dialogue box allows the user to change timeouts
used during the serial communications between the unit and the
controller.

Enable Polling – selecting this option makes the control application
automatically refresh the data presented to the user every few seconds.

Polling Options – selecting this option allows the user to define
parameters to be regularly polled.

Write Encryption Key – ope

ns a dialogue box for entering an ABS or

AES scrambling key, as 32 ASCII hexadecimal characters (0…F)

Write License Code – open a further box for entering license codes for
the activation of licensable features (e.g. AES scrambling) in the
transmitter. Contact domo for support in applying new licenses as
required.

Restore Defaults – restores factory default settings in the transmitter.

File

Set Icon Source, Set logo source, Set logo size and Set application
title – allow the user to define a controller branding

Exit – exits the SOLO receiver control application

51

8.3 Receiver Control Application

The ‘Advanced’ button allows the user to navigate to the controller page
which exposes all available Transmitter settings.

Engineering
Menu

Polling
Enable

Set Polling
Options

Enter an
Encryption
Key

Enter a
Licence key

Restore
Factory

Connectivity

Status

Green if the demodulator
has locked (found) a
signal at the frequency

Green if the received
signal quality is good
enough to provide an
‘error-free’ video

Green if the decoder is
decoding a valid MPEG
stream

All parameter
changes must
be applied

Current
selected
Config

52

Bandwidth Mode (Narrowband or DVB-T)

The Narrowband and DVB-T radio selections switch the unit between
either domo Narrowband (2.5MHz or 1.25MHz channel bandwidths) or
DVB-T 8MHz bandwidth. To select 6MHz and 7MHx DVB-T modes the
user must first click on ‘Advanced’ to enter the Advanced setting page.

Input Frequency (MHz)

The receive frequency can be changed by entering the new desired
frequency in this field. Values outside the range supported by a
particula

r transmitter type will be rounded to the highest of lowest

supported frequency as appropriate.

The receive frequency can be set in step sizes of 250kHz.

Service Name

This field allows the user to enter an identifier for the service that they
wish to receive. This must match that selected at the transmitter (Unit
name) for the service to be decoded. The service name can be
constructed of any eight ASCII characters.

Descrambling

If the AES scrambling option has been purchased for the SOLO2 or
SOLO4 system in use, then it is possible to decrypt the link.
Descrambling must be enabled at the receiver by selecting either
AES128 or AES 256 in the descrambling field. The actual descrambling
key can then be entered by clicking on the yellow ‘key’ icon.

File Options

Load Config – used for loading a single configuration data from text file.

Save C

onfig - used for saving configuration data to text file.

Load Config Set – used for loading all 8 configurations from a text file

Save Config Set - used for saving all 8 configurations to a text file

On a receiver there are 8 separate configurations for Narrowband and 8 separate
configurations for DVB-T.

53

Advanced RX Controller Window

Note: The terminology DVB-T refers to the 8,7,6MHz wide bandwidth modulation
employed in the SOLO2 products. The SOLO4 product is also capable of DVB-T, but this
mode is not recommended for normal operation

Narrowband / DVB-T

The SOLO2 is capable of receiving transmission in 6/7/8MHz wide
DVB-T OFDM only. The SOLO4 receiver is capable of receiving
transmissions in Narrowband and DVB-T. For receiving the
transmissions from a SOLO2 transmitter the ‘DVB-T’ radio button
should be selected. For receiving the transmissions from a SOLO4
transmitter the ‘Narrowband’ radio button should be selected.

When the ‘Narrowband’ radio bu

tton is selected, then the ‘Narrowband’

column of parameters will become highlighted, and can be set.

If the ‘DVB-T’ radio button is selected, then the ‘DVB-T’ column of
parameters will become highlighted, and can be set.

Input Frequency

The receive frequency can be changed by entering the new desired
frequency in this field.

54

Down converter LO

This field allows definition of the local oscillator frequency in the
connected downconverters.

For domo supplied downconverters, this should be set as follows:

• 1880MHz for S band transmissions (2.28 to 2.55GHz)

• 1700MHz for L band transmissions (1.15 to 1.4GHz).

Down converter LO side

This field allows definition of the local oscillator side.

For domo supplied downconverters, this should be set as follows:

• LOW for S ba

nd transmissions (2.28 to 2.55GHz)

• HIGH for L band transmissions (2.28 to 2.55GHz)

OFDM Bandwidth

This field displays the width of the received OFDM signal and should be
set to 2.5MHz for normal SOLO4 system operation, and should be set
to 8MHz for normal SOLO2 system operation.

OFDM Guard Interval

In this field the user selects the guard interval which matches the
transmitter. For SOLO4 systems typically a guard interval of 1/16 is
used, however on very long range transmissions a guard interval of 1/8
may be employed. For SOLO3 systems typically a guard interval of
1/32 is used, however on very long range transmissions a guard interval
of 1/8 may be employed.

OFDM Mode (Status Only)

This field displays the COFDM constellation that is being demodulated
at the receiver. In normal operation this will match that selected at the
transmitter.

OFDM FEC (Status Only)

This field displays the COFDM FEC (Forward Error Correction) that is
being demodulated at the receiver. In normal operation this will match
that selected at the transmitter.

Input SNR (Status Only)

For each IF input, the SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) is reported. Values in
the order of 18dB to 22dB represent strong received signals, whilst
values in the order of 5dB represent poor received signals which will
likely give rise to decoding error

s.

55

BER Pre Viterbi (Status Only)

This figure is for engineering use and gives a representation of the error
rate prior to the error correction techniques having been applied in the
receiver.

BER Post Viterbi (Status Only)

This figure gives a measure of the bit error rate after error correction
techniques have been applied in the receiver. Any numbers greater than
0 in this field indicate the presence of un-correctable errors in the
received stream, and thus pictur

e glitching and audio artefacts will

occur.

Input Level (Status Only)

This figure indicates the received signal level at the two receiver inputs.
Normal Operation will occur when the input level is between –15 and
–90 dBm. Signals greater than –15 may be too powerful and cause
damage. Signal less than –90dBm may be too weak and cause picture
loss (typical link failure will occur between –95 and –99dBm).

Demod Lock Status (Status Only)

This indicates whether the demodulators are successfully locked to the
RF signal.

Data

With this ON / OFF control the user can select whether the receiver
extracts any data component that may be in the transmitted stream.
Such data components are presented at the receiver DATA output port.

Data Baud Rate (Status Only)

This field reports the baud rate of any RS232 serial data component that
is present and selected in the stream.

Input Line Standard (Status Only)

This field reports the line standard that is currently being, or last was,
decoded.

Power Up Line Standard

Using this field the user can select what line standard of video the
receiver will output (PAL / NTSC) when the receiver is first powered on
and before it has locked to an incoming RF signal.

56

NTSC Mode

With this control, when running in 525 line mode, the user can select
whether the NTSC composite output video has a 7.5 IRE pedestal
applied.

Blue Screen on Fail

When the link fails, the user can select between a blue field video output
(YES), and a freeze frame (NO) with this option.

Unit Name

This field allows the user to enter an identifier for the service that they
wish to receive. This must match that selected at the transmi

tter for the
service to be decoded. The unit name can be constructed of any eight
ASCII characters.

Descrambling

If the AES scrambling option has been purchased for the SOLO system
in use, then it is possible to encrypt the link. Descrambling must also be
enabled at the receiver by selecting AES128 or AES256 in the
descrambling field. At this point the user will need to ensure that the
correct key is in use at the

receiver and this is done by selecting

Options / Write AES Key in the receiver controller.

The key is a 128bit value for AES128 and a 256bit value for AES256,
and is entered as 32 or 64 ASCII hexadecimal characters (0...F).

Decoder Lock Status (Status Only)

This field reports whether the video decoder is successfully locked to the
incoming digital bit stream.

Current Config

This field allows the user to select which of the 8 memory configs the
recei

ver is operating in. The receiver has 8 stored configurations and
the user can move between them by setting the appropriate number in
this field. Changes made to other settings by the user will automatically
be stored in the configuration number indicated by this field.

Serial Number (Status Only)

This status information is the electronic serial number of the transmitter
PCB. This number can be exchanged with domo to purchase

extra

licensable features, such as upgrades to support AES decryption.

57

Software Version (Status Only)

This status information describes the version of the software running in
the SOLO transmitter product.

FPGA Version (Status Only)

This information is for domo engineering use only.

Chaining

Chaining allows multiple services to be sent via one RF link. A receiver
may be connected to a transmitter to form a chaining or relay link. To
allow this, the chaining interfaces provided on the first receiver must be
connected to the second trans

mitter. Three modes of operation are
supported - no chaining (default), chaining mode, and relay mode. The
chaining mode allows two services (remote and local) to be combined.
The relay mode allows just the remote service to be transmitted turning
off the local service.

For chaining mode to operate correctly, the second unit in the chain
must operate at twice the transmit data rate from the first. If th

e first unit
is operating in QPSK rate 2/3 the second unit must operate in 16QAM
rate 2/3. If the first unit is operating in QPSK rate 1/3 the second unit
must operate in QPSK rate 2/3. The units must have different chaining
numbers selected, and the different unit names. For the relay mode to
operate correctly the second unit must have the transmit rate greater or
equal to the first unit.

Chaining is a

licensable feature.

Options

Engineering – provides access to further diagnostic and calibration
features. The Diagnostic dialogue box must not be altered. The
Advanced Options dialogue box under the Engineering menu allows
the user to Change RS232 address, which can be useful when
connecting multiple units together via a multi drop RS485 bus for control
purposes. The Serial control dialogue box allows the use

r to change
timeouts used during the serial communications between the unit and
the controller.

Enable Polling – selecting this option makes the control application
automatically refresh the data presented to the user every few seconds.

Polling Options – selecting this option allows the user to define
parameters to be regularly polled.

Write Decryption Key – opens a dialogue box for entering an ABS or
AES

scrambling key, as 32 ASCII hexadecimal characters (0…F)

Write License Code – open a further box for entering license codes for
the activation of licensable features (e.g. AES scrambling) in the
transmitter. Contact domo for support in applying new licenses as
required.

Restore Defaults – restores factory default settings in the transmitter.

58

File

Set Icon Source, Set logo source, Set logo size and Set application
title – allow the user to define a controller branding

Exit – exits the SOLO receiver control application

59

9 NETSTREAM IP Output Option

9.1 General Info

This section is relevant only to customers that have the NETSTREAM
option fitted in their SOLO2 or SOLO4 receiver.

The NETSTREAM can only be fitted in box style 2.

The NETSTREAM product features an RJ45 socket for connection to
10 Base T or 100 Base T Ethernet networks. The network interface
automatically switches between 10 Base T and 100 Base T as required.

The connector is wired for straight conne

ction to a network Hub and
does not automatically compensate for Ethernet crossovers. If a direct
connection to a PC is required, then an Ethernet cross over cable
should be used.

9.2 Streamer

The main use for the NETSTREAM card is to allow viewing of the
received video/audio signal on a standard PC (or laptop) running the
domo software decoder software (part number NETSWDR).

Data is transmitted over the Ethernet

network by means of “multicasting”
i.e. continuous real-time streaming of packets accessible to any PC
connected to the network.

It is therefore possible for more than once connected PC to view the
streamed data simultaneously.

Two types of multicast IP packets are streamed.

• Packets carrying video, audio and data as received by the unit;

• Packets known as Session Announcement Protocol and Sessions

Desc

ription Protocol data (SAP and SDP), which contain information

regarding the nature and location of the stream itself.

9.3 Web Server

The unit features a web server, which can be used to change the
configuration of the streaming parameters.

The default IP address of the unit when delivered is 192.168.0.71

A standard Internet browser can be used to reach the configuration
page of the unit.

The URL of the configuratio

n page is http://192.168.0.71/index.htm

Note that the address of the index page will change in the instance that the NETSTREAM
IP address is subsequently changed.

60

To access the control page, the user is required to follow a login procedure.

When prompted, enter the following login details:

User Name: admin

Password: ipradio

The browser will display the page shown below:

61

IP Address

This control allows the user to change the IP address of the unit. The
factory default value is 192.168.0.71.

The user should make a note of the unit’s new IP address when
changing it. Failure to do so will result in an inability to use the web
browser interface until the unit’s new IP address is recovered.

Multicast Address

This control allows the user to change the multicast address used by the
unit. The default valu

e is 239.16.33.254.

Port Number

This control allows the user to change the multicast port used by the
unit. The default value is 10000.

TTL

This control allows the user to change the value of the IP TTL (Time to
Live) set by the unit.

SAP Address

This control allows the user to change the value SAP/ SDP multicast
address used by the unit. The default value is 224.2.127.254 and the
port used is 9875. These are standard multicast

values for such
parameters, and it is recommended they are not changed unless
specifically required due to routing restrictions.

SAP / SDP Data

Note – SAP is Session Announcement Protocol and SDP is Session Description Protocol
as defined in RFC2327 and RFC2974

• Service Name – textual information naming the multicast stream as

delivered in the SAP/SDP packets from the unit. Default is “MPEG
Stream”

• Info – further textual information about the multicast stream as delivered

in the SAP/SDP packets from the unit. Default is “NetEng”

• Description - Optional URI (Universal Resource Identifier) pointing to a

web page on the network containing additional informati

on about the

multicast. Default is www.domo.co.uk

• Bitrate - textual information indicating the bitrate in kbits/s of the stream.

Default is usr kbit/s

62

10 Software Decoder

10.1 General Information

The domo software decider application (part number NETSWDR) is
delivered on CD. The product is installed by following the prompts
offered by a comprehensive Install Shield.

The product is licensed, after installing the product from the Installation
shield the user should double click on the application icon, which may
appear as depicted below.

Note – later revisions of the software decoder may feature different icons or application
names.

When the application is executed, if the PC is unlicensed then the
following prompt box appears

Assuming the user has pre-paid for their Software decoder licence then
the user then simply needs to email the Electronic Serial number to
domo ([email protected]) quoting the pre-paid token number. After
receipt of this email domo will then provide a licence key. The licence
key should be entered into the prompt box in the application window
above which will licence the PC.

The license is tied to the target PC, and reinstallation of the product on a
different machine will require the purchase of further licenses from
domo.

Note – if a user has not purchased a pre-paid licence then the user will have to contact
domo sales to purchase a licence prior to receiving a licence code.

63

The domo software decoder can decode and present MPEG streams
that are available from two sources.

• Multicast streams being played out on the connected network by a

NETSTREAM or NETCRXIPUP IP upgrade in the CRX.

• Files available locally on the target PC or network.

10.2 Decoding Multicast Streams

If the application is started on a PC, which is connected to a network
shared by the NETSTREAM or CRX IP stream, then it will present a
view of available streams that can be software decoded and viewed on
the PC.

The name of the multicast stream is listed in the window, alongside an
expandable crosshair. Clicking the crosshair presents the streams
multicast details and a list of any services contained within a stream:

64

In the above example the stream “DVT Streaming” has a multicast
address of 239.16.33.253 and is streaming to port number 10000. It
contains two services, named “CRX-001” and “CRX-002”.

It can be seen that there is an expandable crosshair alongside each of
the service names. Clicking these provides more details about each
service:

In this case we see that the service “CRX-001” is unencrypted, uses
MPEG2 video encoding, and has single channel (mono) audio encoded
with an 8-bit companding scheme with a sampling rate of 16kHz.

65

To start decoding a service the user should “double click” the
appropriate service name. Service names are always highlighted in bold
text in the main player window. If the service is unencrypted the main
decoder window will be launched.

10.3 Encrypted Streams

If the service selected is being encrypted by upstream hardware, then
the user will be prompted for the reciprocal key. The video stream player
can detect from infor

mation in the stream whether ABS or AES
encryption is being used. It will present a window appropriate to the type
of encryption. For ABS the following window will appear:

This requires the 32-bit ABS decryption key to be entered as 8
hexadecimal characters. This is not case sensitive.

Although the player is able to distinguish a service encrypted with AES,
it cannot detect whether 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption has been
used. Therefore the following window will be presented to the user when
AES encryption is detected:

By default this window is expecting a 128-bit (to be entered as 32
hexadecimal characters) decryption key. If the service is encrypted with
AES256 encryption, the user should select this from the “Scrambling

66

type” drop-down list in the window. The appearance of the window will
then change to the following:

The user can now enter the AES256 key in the two fields provided.

Once the key is entered, the main decoder window will be launched.

67

10.4 Main Decoder Window

The main decoder window will appear as follows:

The title bar of the window presents the service name and the streams
multicast details. Below this there is a menu-bar with an Options drop-
down menu and a toolbar with some icons on it. Each of the icons
corresponds to a selection in the Options menu. The following
selections are available in the menu:

Record to file

This option gives the user the option of recording the file that is being
decoded to disk.

The user is prompted with a standard Windows “File Save” dialog box:

68

When recording is active, this menu option is changed to “Stop
Recording” which can be used to stop writing to disk.

Two buttons on the toolbar can be used to control recording:

to start recording

to stop recording

When recording is inactive, the stop recording button will appear greyed
out and unselectable. The start recording button will appear in similar
fashion when recording is active.

Enable audio

This option will only appear in the menu if the service has audio. When
more than one service includes audio only one window can decode
audio at any one time. When audio is enabled in a service, the enable
aud

io option will appear with a tick beside it in the menu:

Selecting this option simply toggles whether audio is enabled or
disabled. If another window was previously decoding audio it will be
forced to disable its audio as the new window is now the audio decoding
window.

When audio is enabled, the

button will appear on the toolbar.

Clicking this button will disable audio. When audio is disabled this button

will change its appearance and appear as

, clicking which will

enable audio.

Close window

This closes the main decoder window.

69

10.5 Decoding Locally Stored Files

If the user wishes to play a file from local storage (regardless of whether
multicast streams are available or not) then the “Play from File” button
on the main application window should be pressed.

This opens a standard Windows “Open File” dialog box to make the
selection.

Note - the default file extension is *.mpg.

The application will scan through the selected file for any services
available. If the stream contains only one service the application will
select this automatically and operation will be as described in the
preceding sections after a service is selected.

If there are multiple services in the file the application will present a pop­up window with a list of the services in:

The user should “double-click” the service they wish to decode.
Thereafter, operation is as described in the preceding sections.

10.6 Miscellaneous application options

The main application window has a menu-bar with an Options drop-
down menu. This presents the following selections:

70

These options relate to the main application icon, which normally

appears as

and an optional logo. By default there is no logo
presented. The user may select a bitmap to appear as a logo below the
“Play from file” button on the main application window.

Selecting either the “Set icon source” or “Set logo source” options will
open a standard Windows file dialog box. For icon files, this is set to filter
for files with a .ico file extension. These are standard Windows icon files.
A 32 x 32 pixel icon is expected. For logo files, the dialog box is set to
filter for bitmap files with a .bmp file extension. The size of the bitmap file
is not important as the application will automatically make it fit to the
available space. The logo size can be altered by selecting the “Set logo
size” option in the menu.

71

11 Fault Finding

11.1 Indicated Faults

SOLO2 Transmitter and SOLO4 Transmitter

LED Condition

Meaning

Action

ALARM LED lit

permanently

Unit alarm, likely to be

no video input lock

Ensure video source connected

and of correct video standard

(PAL/NTSC)

SOLO2 Receiver and SOLO4 Receiver

LED Condition

Meaning

Action

ALARM LED lit

RF LED off

No RF Signal Lock

Check a suitable RF source is active,

on correct frequency.

Ensure Downconverters are

connected.

Ensure antennas are connected to

downconverters.

Ensure there is no interfering signal.

ALARM LED lit

RF LED on

Has RF signal lock but no

decoder lock

Check video is enabled at the

transmitter.

Check correct unit name is selected

at the receiver to match the

transmitter.

ALARM LED lit

Lock LED lit

RF LED on

Has RF signal lock but no

decoder lock due to

encryption of video

Check that scrambling keys are

matched.

Check video is enabled at the

transmitter.

72

11.2 Fault Symptoms

Symptom

Suggested Action

No RF Link

Check a suitable transmitter RF source is active, on correct frequency.

Ensure Downconverters are connected. Ensure antennas are

connected to downconverters. Ensure there is no interfering signal.

Poor link

performance

Poor performance of the link can occur for the following reasons.

• Interference. Should an interfering RF signal occur on the

same frequency the performance of the link will be affected.

Remove the interferer e or move to an alternative

frequency.

• Unsuitable antennas, or out of band antennas. See the

antenna sections for guidance on antenna selection and

use.

• Reduced transmit power, ensure that the attenuation

setting on the transmitter is appropriate for direct output, or

for amplifiers connected.

• Receive antenna positioning, were possible mount the

receive antennas away from other objects, unobstructed

and as high as possible. Poor alignment of directional

antennas.

• No Diversity operation. Ensure both down converters are

operational.

Blue screen

at receiver

Receiver RF LED not lit - see “No RF Link” section

Receiver RF LED lit. Check video is enabled at the transmitter. Check

correct unit name is selected at the receiver to match the transmitter.

Check scrambling keys are matched.

Reduced

Image

quality

Image quality is affected by the selected horizontal resolution. The

image will become progressively softer for each horizontal resolution

below the sharpest resolution of 704 pixels. It is advisable to select a

horizontal resolution that matches the resolution of the camera.

Image quality is also affected by the video bit rate which can be read

from the video bit rate field of the SOLO transmitter controller). The

standard setting is 2.3Mb/s. However enabling audio, particularly the

high quality audio modes, will reduce the video bit rate substantially.

Therefore ensure an appropriate audio mode is selected or audio is

fully disabled if not required.

No audio

Ensure audio is enabled at the transmitter (disabled by default).

73

12 LED Indicators

SOLO2 Transmitter or SOLO4 Transmitter

LED / Button

Colour

Meaning / Use

Alarm LED

Red

When lit indicates alarm or fault condition on equipment. Usually

means no lock to incoming video.

Front Panel Lock

LED

Yellow

When lit indicates service is encrypted

RF LED

Green

Transmitter:

When lit indicates RF output is active.

LED 1 to 8

Green

Indicates which of the eight stored configurations is currently

selected.

Range Mode

LEDs

Green

SOLO2 Transmitter: These LEDs have no function

SOLO4 Transmitter: Indicates range mode

Ultra Long Range: 1.25MHz QPSK FEC1/3 (optional)

Long Range: 2.5MHz QPSK FEC1/3

Medium Range: 2.5MHz QPSK FEC2/3

Short Range: 2.5MHz 16QAM FEC2/3

SOLO2 Receiver and SOLO4 Receiver

LED Condition

Meaning

Red ALARM LED lit

RF LED off

No RF Signal Lock

Red ALARM LED lit

RF LED on

Has RF signal lock but no decoder lock

(stream probably encrypted with encryption

not selected at receiver)

Red ALARM LED not lit

No alarms

RF LED lit

RF signal lock

RF LED not lit

No RF signal lock

Single CONFIG LED lit

Indicates selected config

No CONFIG LEDs lit

Unit Off

74

13 Receiver On Screen Display

The receiver on screen display is a useful diagnostic tool providing a
number of pages with different functionality.

• An Input Status page displaying simple data on the signal being

received such as frequency, range mode, signal strength and quality.

• An RF Advanced page displaying detailed data on the signal being

received such as lock statuses, modulation scheme, receiver settings
and error counts.

• An Engineering Data page displaying antenna input spectrum plots and

metadata if received from the transmitter.

• A Frequency Scanning page which can scan a frequency range and plot

signal strength showing noise free areas to place a transmitter
frequency. This can also automatically provide a list of decodable
services within that range.

• A GPS Overlay page displaying GPS time, date, position and fix type if

received from the transmitter.

13.1 Input Status Page

The Input Status page contains a simplified representation of the signal
being received.

Input Status

-----------­Frequency & Mode:

2.50000 GHz
Ultra Long Range

Encryption:
CLEAR

Antenna Input A:
Signal Medium
Quality Excellent

Antenna Input B:
Signal .

Input Status

-----------­Frequency & Mode:

2.50000 GHz
Ultra Long Range

Encryption:
CLEAR

Antenna Input A:
Signal .ooooOO
Quality Excellent

Antenna Input B:
Signal .

Input frequency and mode.
Signal mode description if a
standard range mode.
Bandwidth, constellation and
FEC rate if a non-standard
range mode.

Encryption status either
ENCRYPTED or CLEAR
when there is signal lock, or
Unknown with no lock.

Signal strength bar alternating
with description.

Description of signal quality.

Description of signal
strength alternating
with strength bar.

Antennas A and B are
shown here, if C and D
are available they
would be listed below.

75

Signal Level Descriptions

Range (dB)

Description

Strength Bar

Less than -100

None

.

-100 to -95

Low

.o

-95 to -90

Low

.oo

-90 to -80

Medium

.ooo

-80 to -70

Medium

.oooo

-70 to -60

Medium

.ooooO

-60 to -50

High

.ooooOO

Greater than -50

High

.ooooOOO

Signal Quality Descriptions

Simplified quality descriptions are available for standard Short to Ultra
Long Range narrowband modes, and 8MHz DVB-T modes. Other
variations will just show a dB value.

Range (dB)

Description

0

Below Quasi Error Free margin
(dB value dependant on mode)

None

< 3dB above QEF margin

Poor

< 6dB above QEF margin

Good

> 6dB above QEF margin

Excellent

13.2 RF Advanced Page

The RF Advanced page contains detailed data on the signal being
received, as well as some receiver settings.

RF Advanced

----------­Input(GHz) 2.50000
TPS Lock Yes
FEC Lock Yes

Constel QPSK
FEC Rate 1/3
G.Interval 1/16
AutoBW 1.25MHz

A: Input Lev. -74
SNR 21.5
Demod Lock Yes

B: Input Lev. -130

Input frequency, TPS
and FEC lock statuses,
constellation and FEC
rate.

Antenna input level,
SNR and demodulation
lock status.
Antennas A and B are
shown here, if C and D
are available they
would be listed below.

Error counts. Pre/post LDPC for
narrowband and Viterbi FEC for
DVB-T services.

Receiver Guard
Interval and Bandwidth
settings.

76

13.3 Engineering Data Page

The Engineering Data page contains antenna input spectrum plots,
along with GPS, temperature and video lock data received from the
transmitter.

13.4 GPS Overlay

The GPS Overlay is a small three lines of text over the top left of the
video. The text contains a time (UTC), date, longitude, latitude and fix
type as extracted from GPS data from a transmitter.

If “Data Disabled” is shown the Data configuration option n

eeds to be
turned On to receive transmitter data. If Data is disabled this page will
not appear whilst changing page via the front panel.

Note: For GPS data to appear on the OSD several conditions need to be met. A
compatible GPS receiver with NMEA output should be connected to the data port of a
transmitter. The transmitter must have Data enabled and the correct Baud rate set (usually
4800 for NMEA), and the receiver must have Data enabled.

14:06:59 24/07/09

Engineering Data

Antenna input frequency
spectrum plots. Input level
is shown at the top left of
each plot and SNR is
shown if available.

Antenna inputs A and
B are shown here. If C
and D are available
either A and B, or C
and D will be shown
depending on settings.

When setup correctly NMEA
GPS data can be collected
from a transmitter, and
coordinates are displayed
with their UTC time stamp.

If the time is not updating
frequently or the fix type
shows “No Fix” then the
GPS coordinates are the last
received at the time shown.

If “Data Disabled” is shown
the Data configuration option
needs to be turned On to
receive transmitter data.

If estimated case
temperature or video lock
status is received from a
compatible transmitter this
will be shown here.

77

13.5 Frequency Scan Page

The Frequency Scan page automatically sweeps through a set tuning
range and plots the signal power at each frequency. It can also
automatically provide a list of decodable services within that range.

Starting a Scan

The front panel MODE button is used to start a scan whilst on the
Frequency Scan page. The MODE button can then be used to stop a
scan at any time. A scan consists of two stages which are described
belo

w.

During the scan any previous video link will stop working but will be
restored once the scan is completed or stopped.

Setting the Scan Range

The Scan Range and Resolution settings can be changed remotely
using RS232 control commands (see section 0), or by using the
Receiver Control Application (see section 8.3).

All settings default at 0 which means a range will be picked 100MHz
either side of the current frequency at 0.25

MHz resolution.

It’s recommend that you set the scan range (maximum and minimum
values) to the range in which your transmitters usually operate.
Maximum and minimum values will be automatically limited based on
the receiver’s ability with its current settings. Total scan range is limited
to 500MHz.

Resolution should be set based on your usual frequency settings. If your
transmitters are always set to mul

tiples a 1MHz then the resolution
should be set to 1MHz. A smaller resolution will result in a scan taking
longer to complete. Resolution defaults to 0.25MHz if set out of the
range 0.25MHz to 100MHz.

Frequency Scan

Minimum and maximum
signal level; this will
change during a scan as
the plot is automatically
scaled.

Frequency scale in GHz
shows the scan range
once a scan has started.

78

Quick Scanning Stage

The quick scanning stage skips though the frequency range at intervals
depending on the resolution, and measures the signal level at each
interval. The signal level is taken as the maximum level at all available
antenna inputs and is plotted on the on screen display.

A chequered bar will move along the frequency axis representing the
current progress.

This stage is necessary for the service scanning st

age, however if the
users’ aim is to check for noise free frequencies to put their service on,
then the scan could be stopped at whatever point by pressing the
MODE button.

Service Scanning Stage

The service scanning stage jumps between the strongest signal levels
detected and checks for a decodable service.

If a service is found, signals around it will be ignored to save scanning
time as they are mostly likely part of the se

rvice. The number of
surrounding signals ignored depends on the bandwidth of the service
found.

Once a scan is finished, services found will be marked by a chequered
bar and stored. If a scan is stopped early the services found so far will
be marked and stored.

Note: If the receiver is in Narrowband mode only Narrowband services will be detected as
decodable. If the receiver is in DVB-T mode only DVB-T services will be detected.

Frequency Scan

Number of services
found so far.

Current scanning
frequency marked by
chequered bar.

Activity indicator.

Noise free area.

79

Completed Scan

Once a scan has been completed and one or more services have been
found, the CONFIG button can be used the cycle though available
services on screen, or to the re-scan message.

If a 'change’ message is displayed then pressing the MODE button will
result in changing current frequency and bandwidth settings to receive
that service.

Note: Changing the frequency and bandwidth settings in this way will overwrite the current
configuration settings.

Frequency Scan

Two alternating
messages

Example
where 2
services have
been found,
when currently
using
configuration 2.

Press MODE to

MODE to change

MODE to change

Services which have
been found at

1.395GHz and

1.500GHz are
marked by a
chequered bar.

‘Change to’ message giving
the option of jumping to a
service found at 1.395GHz.
This alternates with a warning
about which configuration you
will change.

80

13.6 On Screen Display Control

Front Panel Control

The RF button on a receiver front panel can be used to cycle through
the OSD pages in the order shown below. Optional C and D input pages
will only be shown if antenna inputs C and D are available. Optional
GPS Overlay page will only show if Data is enabled.

Page Order

Receiver Input RF Advanced Engineering Data
(A and B) (A and B)

GPS Overlay Frequency Scan Engineering Data

(C and D)

Exceptions

When a rec

eiver is in Chaining Input mode the only page available will
be a partial version of the Receiver Input page. This will be renamed as
Chaining Input and only contain the encryption status. Cycling pages will
just turn the OSD on or off.

If the receiver is set to original OSD mode then pages will work as with
the original OSD (see section 0)

RF Advanced

----------­Input(GHz) 2.50000
TPS Lock Yes
FEC Lock Yes

Constel QPSK
FEC Rate 1/3
G.Interval 1/16
AutoBW 1.25MHz

A: Input Lev. -74
SNR 21.5
Demod Lock Yes

B: Input Lev. -130
SNR -­ Demod Lock No

Pre LDPC Err 5314

Frequency Scan

-------------­ MODE to change
to 1.39500GHz?

-99 -46 P

1.25-------------­ |#
|##

1.30-########
|##
|#

1.35­ |
x#########xxxx

1.40­ |#
|#

1.45­ |####
|

14:06:59 24/07/09
50 52.136 N 3D

Engineering Data

---------------­C -65 SNR:25
|
| WWWWWWWW
| W W
|WWW WWW

----------------

D -130 SNR:
|
|WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
|
|

----------------

Transmitter:

GPS 14:06:59
3D 50 52.136 N
Fix 1 15.205 W

Input Status

-----------­Frequency & Mode:

2.50000 GHz
Ultra Long Range

Encryption:
CLEAR

Antenna Input A:
Signal .ooooOO
Quality Excellent

Antenna Input B:
Signal .

Engineering Data

---------------­A -65 SNR:25
|
| WWWWWWWW
| W W
|WWW WWW

----------------

B -130 SNR:
|
|WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
|
|

----------------

Transmitter:

GPS 14:06:59
3D 50 52.136 N
Fix 1 15.205 W

OSD

Off

Optional path

81

Control Commands

The OSD page can be changed remotely using RS232 control
commands, or by using the Receiver Control Application (see section

8.3). Relevant commands are shown below; please refer to the section
15 for how to use control commands.

Relevant Command List

Function

R/W

Block

Command

Data

Type

On Screen
Display

r/wgosd

0 = Off
1 = Channel A
2 = Channel B
3 = Channel C
4 = Channel D

List

On Screen
Display Page

r/wgosp

0 = Original
1 = Input Status
2 = RF Advanced
3 = Engineering Data
4 = Frequency Scan
5 = GPS Overlay

List

On Screen
Display Timeout

r/wgost

OSD timeout in
seconds

Integer

Frequency
Scan Range
Minimum

r/wgsmi

Starting frequency for
scan in GHz

Double

Frequency
Scan Range
Maximum

r/wgsma

Ending frequency for
scan in GHz

Double

Frequency
Scan
Resolution

r/wgsre

Resolution of
frequency scan in MHz

Double

The page displayed depends on a combination of the On Screen
Display (osd) value and the On Screen Display Page (osp) value.

If showing the Original OSD page the spectrum plot will correspond to
the On Screen Display (osd) value.

If showing the new Engineering Data page, the spectrum plots will
correspond to:

A and B if On Screen Display (osd) value = 1 or 2
C and D if On Screen Display (osd) value = 3 o

r 4

C and D will only be displayed if available.

osd = 0?

No OSD

osp = 0?

Show original OSD

Show corresponding

new OSD page

Yes

YesNoNo

82

Original OSD Mode

Original OSD mode will be enabled if the On Screen Display Page (osp)
value is set to 0 (see above).

The RF button on a receiver front panel can then be used to cycle
through the original OSD pages in the order shown below. Optional C
and D input pages will only be shown if antenna inputs C and D are
available.

The pages can also be navigated remotely by setting the On Screen

Display (osd) value (see ab

ove).

Page Order

Original Page (A) Original Page (B) Original Page (C)

optional

Original Page (D)
optional

Input(GHz) 2.50000
Input Lev A -74
Input Lev B -130
Input Lev C -­Input Lev D -­Demod Lock A--­TPS Lock OK
FEC Lock OK
Constel QPSK
Mod 1.25MHz 1/3
Pre LDPC Err 5314
Post LDPC Err 0
Packet Err 0
SNR A 22.1
SNR B -­SNR C -­SNR D -­D
| WWWWWWWW

Input(GHz) 2.50000
Input Lev A -74
Input Lev B -130
Input Lev C -­Input Lev D -­Demod Lock A--­TPS Lock OK
FEC Lock OK
Constel QPSK
Mod 1.25MHz 1/3
Pre LDPC Err 5314
Post LDPC Err 0
Packet Err 0
SNR A 22.1
SNR B -­SNR C -­SNR D -­C
| WWWWWWWW

Input(GHz) 2.50000
Input Lev A -74
Input Lev B -130
Input Lev C -­Input Lev D -­Demod Lock A--­TPS Lock OK
FEC Lock OK
Constel QPSK
Mod 1.25MHz 1/3
Pre LDPC Err 5314
Post LDPC Err 0
Packet Err 0
SNR A 22.1
SNR B -­SNR C -­SNR D -­B
| WWWWWWWW

Input(GHz) 2.50000
Input Lev A -74
Input Lev B -130
Input Lev C -­Input Lev D -­Demod Lock A--­TPS Lock OK
FEC Lock OK
Constel QPSK
Mod 1.25MHz 1/3
Pre LDPC Err 5314
Post LDPC Err 0
Packet Err 0
SNR A 22.1
SNR B -­SNR C -­SNR D -­A
| WWWWWWWW

OSD

Off

83

OSD Timeout

A timeout has been implemented such that if a timeout value is set and
there is no defined activity, then the OSD will automatically turn off after
the set period of time.

The timeout value can be set by using the On Screen Display Timeout
(ost) command (see section 0).

If the timeout is set to 0 (which it is by default) then the OSD timeout is
disabled.

Defined Activity

Certain activity will reset the O

SD timeout counter:

• Pressing the MODE / RF / CONFIG front panel buttons.

• If the OSD page is changed by any method.

• When a frequency scan finishes.

• If the device is reset.

The timeout is not active whilst a frequency scan is running.

84

14 Connector Pin Outs

14.1 Power - 4-pin 0B LEMO Socket (TX and RX)

Pin No

Function

1

12 V

2

12 V

3

GND

4

GND

14.2 Control Data and Expansion - 16-pin Hirose 3500 series
connector & 0.1” OEM header (TX Only)

Pin No

Function

1

VBATT – only 1A on this pin

2

GND

3

RS232 TX1 (Control)

4

RS232 RX1

5

RS232 TX2 (Data)

6

RS232 RX2

7

GPIO to Atmel – can be used to wake up unit

8

Chaining Clock in or GPIO

9

GND

10

Chaining Data in or GPIO

11

Chaining Clock out or GPIO

12

GND

13

Chaining Data out or GPIO

14

GND

15

Luma/Composite in

16

Chroma in

14.3 Control Data and Expansion - 16-pin Hirose 3500 series
connector & 0.1” OEM header (RX Only)

Pin No

Function

1

Power

2

GND

3

RS232 TX1 (Control)

4

RS232 RX1

5

RS232 TX2 (Data)

6

RS232 RX2

7

GPIO

8

Chaining Clock in or GPIO

9

GND

10

Chaining Data in or GPIO

11

Chaining Clock out or GPIO

85

12

GND

13

Chaining Data out or GPIO

14

GND

15

S-video Luma out

16

S-video Chroma out

14.4 Combined A/V - 5-pin 0B LEMO socket (TX Only)

Pin No

Function

1

Audio Right In

2

Audio Left In

3

GND

4

Composite In

5

GND

14.5 Audio - 5-pin 0B LEMO socket (Solo4RX)

Pin No

Function

1

N/C

2

N/C

3

GND

4

Audio Out + (Rx only)

5

Audio Out -

14.6 Audio - 3-pin 1B LEMO Socket (old style RX Only)

Pin No

Function

1

Right

2

Left

3

GND

14.7 RS232 Control - 3-pin 0B LEMO Socket (old style RX Only)

Pin No

Function

1

TX

2

RX

3

GND

86

15 Control Protocols

The following section describes the control protocol employed on the
RS232 link for controlling the SOLO transmitters and receiver
equipment.

Connection details are detailed in previous sections.

Note that only features that are licensed for use in the SOLO units can be controlled. The
protocols listed here cover all possible features. Attempting to activate an unlicensed
feature will simply result in the command being ignored by the SOLO unit.

15.1 RS232 Control – General Principles

The physical interface is RS232 but this can be converted to RS 485
with an external adapter where multiple units are controlled over one RS
485 bus.

Normal operation involves sending a packet from the control device
(normally a PC) to the device being controlled. If the packet satisfies an
address integrity check, then the controlled device will action the
command and send a reply.

For compatibility

with modems an ASCII style protocol is used.

Ports are set for 8 bits, No parity, 1 stop

15.2 Packet Structure Sending (from PC)

ASCII Value

STX 02h Start byte
0-9 30h-39h 4 byte unit address. In range 0-9999
R 20h-7Eh 1 byte command type. r read, w write or

m misc
I 20h-7E 1 byte indicator of internal data block
ABC 20h-7Eh Command –three byte mnemonic
; 3Bh Separator
PQR 20h-7Eh Data –Optional, variable length
; 3Bh Separator
X 20h-7Eh Sum Check
ETX 03h End byte

87

15.3 Packet Structure Reply (from controlled device)

ASCII Value

STX 02h Start byte
0-9 30h-39h 4 byte unit address. In range 0-9999
Z 20h-7Eh Status BYTE

PQR 20h-7Eh Data –Optional, variable length
; 3Bh Separator
X 20h-7Eh Sum Check

ETX 03h End byte

The Sum check byte is the summation of all bytes in the packet, not
including the start and end bytes. Higher order bytes are ignored and
the final byte result is modified to prevent ASCII control characters being
sent. Bit 7 (highest) is forced high.

Status byte will indicate command performed OK, or indicate an error.

ASCII Meaning

1 All OK

E General error, Command could not be actioned

Typically E will be returned if the message is formatted incorrectly
(separators in wrong place) or if commands are in upper case, or if
commands do not match against the allowed list of commands, or if the
checksum is wrong.

Addresses in the range 0001 to 9998 are for general use. Address 0000
is reserved and 9999 is a broadcast address. i.e. any device will reply to
this address. Its reply will contain its own specific address.

All data in the transmitter and receiver is stored as one of 5 data types,
Double, String, List, Integer or HexInteger. The data type dictates the
contents of the data section of the reply.

• List – 1 byte for sending. Value is hexadecimal coded as ASCII. 2 byte

reply. Reply represents index into original choice list. e.g. Reply 02
indicates entry 2 in original list.

• Double - variable length. Reply always contains decimal point and 4

decimal places. Can have 1 to 3 digits before decimal.

• Integer - 6byte reply. integer value with stuffed with preceding zeros.

e.g. GOP reply 000012 = GOP length 12

• String - Variable length. Reply is string excluding null terminator

• HexInteger – 8byte Hex reply

88

15.4 Transmitter Command List

Type ‘o’ messages for Modulation commands

Function

R/W

Block

Command

Data

Type

Set
Modulation
IF output

r/woout

1 byte
0 OFF
1 COFDM

int

Set Narrow
Band
Modulation
FEC

r/wofec

1 byte
1 = 2/3
2 = 1/3

int

Set Narrow
Band
Modulation
Guard
Interval

r/wogua

1 byte
1 = 1/16
2 = 1/8

int

Set Narrow
Band
COFDM
mode

r/womod

1 byte
0 = QPSK
1 = 16 QAM

int

Set
Modulation
Freq

r/wofre

Set Frequency in
MHz, decimal point
allowed.

double

Spectrum
Inversion

r/wospe

1 byte
0 = Normal
1 = Inverted

int

COFDM
Bandwidth

r/wowid

0 = 6MHz
1 = 7MHz
2 = 8MHz
3 = 2.5MHz
4 = 1.25MHz

list

Output level
attenuation
high

r/wolev

Default level is 0
Value 0 to 32 1dB
steps

int

Output High
Low switch

r/wohls

0 = low level
1 = high level
(default)

int

Output level
attenuation
low

r/wollv

Default level is 32
Value 0 to 32

0.25dB steps

int

DVB-T FEC

r/wodfe

0 = 1/2, 1 = 2/3, 2 =
3/4, 3 = 5/6, 4 = 7/8

int

DVB-T
Guard

r/wodgu

0 = 1/32, 1 = 1/16, 2
= 1/8, 3 = 1/4

int

DVB-T mode

r/wodmo

0 = QPSK, 1 =
16QAM, 2 =
64QAM

int

DVB-T 4K
Offset

r/wo4ko

0 = none
1 = +4KHz
2 = -4KHz

Int

Range Mode
Preset

r/wotxm

0 = none
selected(default)
1 = short range
2 = medium range
3 = long range
4 = ultra long range

int

Type ‘z’ messages for Scrambling commands

Function

R/W

Block

Command

Data

Type

Scrambling

r/wzscr

1 byte
0 = Off
1 = ABS
4 = AES128
6 = AES256

int

AES Key
lower 128

wzkez

Encryption key for
AES lower 128

Hex string
(32
characters)

89

AES Key
upper 128
used in AES
256 only

wzkex

Encryption key for
AES upper 128

Hex string
(32
characters)

ABS key

wzkey

Encryption key for
ABS

Hex string
(12
characters)

Type ‘v’ and ‘e’ messages for Video commands

Function

R/W

Block

Command

Data

Type

Video Input

r/wvinp

1 byte
0 = Off
2 = PAL
3 = NTSC
4 = NTSC No
Pedestal
5 = PAL S-vid
6 = NTSC S-vid
7 = NTSC S-Vid No
pedestal
8 = SDI PAL
9 = SDI NTSC

int

Video
Locked

rvloc

1 byte
0 = No
1 = Yes

int

Video Bitrate
(Only
applicable
when chain
in enabled)

r/wevid

Value in Mbps

double

Video
Horizontal
resolution

r/wehor

1 byte
0=704
1=528
2=480
3=352

int

Sleep if no
video lock

r/wvsle

0 = normal
1 = sleep if no video

int

MPEG mode

r/weenc

0 = MPEG2
1 = MPEG4

int

MPEG2
GOP length
S/W V3.6+

r/wegop

0 = stripe refresh
mode (default)
1 = intra only
2-100 = GOP
length in frames

int

MPEG4
frame rate

r/wefrm

0 = full
1 = 1/2
2 = 1/4
3 = 1/8
4 = 1/24

int

MPEG4
encoding
option

r/wecmd

0 = low delay
interlaced (default)
1 = standard delay
interlaced
2 = low delay
progressive
3 = standard delay
progressive

MPEG4
video
sharpness

r/wesha

0 = normal (default)
1 = sharp

int

Manual
Video Bitrate

r/wevbr

Video bitrate
manual over ride
0 = no override
(default)
Non-zero (sets the
video bit-rate in
kbps)

int

Video PID

r/wvpid

16-8190, 0
dissables

int

90

Available
bitrate for
Video

reabr

Available bitrate in
transport stream for
video in Mbps

float

Type ‘a’ messages for Audio commands

Function

R/W

Block

Command

Data

Type

Audio
Encoder

Options
9,10,11 &12
are only
supported in
S/W V3.3+

Options
13,14,15
&16 are only
supported in
S/W V3.6+

r/waenc

1 byte
0 = Off
1 = 32kHz,12cbit,S
2 = 32kHz,12cbit,M
3 = 32kHz,8cbit,S
4 = 32kHz,8cbit,M
5 = 16kHz,8cbit,S
6 = 16kHz,8cbit,M
7 = 8kHz,8cbit,S
8 = 8kHz,8cbit,M
9 = 32kHz MPEG
Layer1 stereo
10 = 32kHz MPEG
Layer1 mono
11 = 48kHz MPEG
Layer1 stereo
12 = 48kHz MPEG
Layer1 mono
13 = 32kHz MPEG
Layer2 stereo
14 = 32kHz MPEG
Layer2 mono
15 = 48kHz MPEG
Layer2 stereo
16 = 48kHz MPEG
Layer2 mono

int

Audio Input
Level

r/walev

1byte
0 = 0dB (line level)
1= 12dB (mic level)
2 = 24dB(mic level)
3 = 36dB(mic level)
4 = 48dB(mic level)
and 4 also enables
ALC

int

MPEG
Layer 1
Audio Bitrate
S/W V3.3+

1byte
2 = 64kbit
3 = 96kbit
4 = 128kbit
5 = 160kbit
6 = 192kbit
7 = 224kbit
8 = 256kbit
9 = 288kbit
10 = 320kbit
11 = 352kbit
12 = 384kbit
13 = 416kbit
14 = 448kbit

MPEG
Layer 2
Audio Bitrate
S/W V3.6+

r/wampr

2 = 48kbit
3 = 56kbit
4 = 64kbit
5 = 80kbit
6 = 96kbit
7 = 112kbit
8 = 128kbit
9 = 160kbit
10 = 192kbit
11 = 224kbit
12 = 256kbit
13 = 320kbit
14 = 384kbit

int

MPEG Audio
Offset

r/wapts

PTS offset for
MPEG Audio

int

Audio
Left/Right
Swap
S/W V3.6+

r/walrs

0 = normal stereo
1 = swapped stereo

int

Audio Mono

r/warmo

0 = left mono

Int

91

Select
S/W V3.6+

1 = right mono

Audio PID

r/wapid

16-8190, 0
dissables

int

Type ‘g’ and ‘p’ messages for Unit Level commands

Function

R/W

Block

Command

Data

Type

Software
Version

rgver

Software version
number

Hex string

FPGA
Version

rgfpg

Fpga version
number

Hex string

Serial
Number

rgser

Hex based serial
number

Hex string

License
Code

wglic

License number for
software facilities

Hex string

Narrow band
Service
Name

r/wgnam

Unit Name String

string

Set Unit
address

r/wgadd

Unit Address
0001 - 9998

int

Load
Configuration
Number

r/wglod

Config Number

int

Restore
Default Build

wgdef

1 byte
0 = No
1 = Yes

int

Sleep Mode

r/wgsle

1 byte
0 =No
1 = Yes

int

Front Panel
Lock

r/wgfpl

0 = unlocked
1 = locked

int

DVB-T
Service
name

r/wgdna

Unit Name String

string

Heart beat
enable

r/wgblo

0 = off
1 = on

int

Initiate Code
download
S/W V3.3+

wgdlc

65 to initiate full
download
67 to initiate code
only download

int

PCR PID

r/wpcpd

16-8190, 0
dissables

int

PMT PID

r/wpmpd

16-8190, 0
dissables

int

Board Type

rgbty

Returns ‘D510’ for
D510

string

Unit Type

r/wguty

Unit type as set
using the ‘u’
command on
power-up

int

License
Mask

rglma

Bit mask of licensed
features

Hex String

NOTE: inappropriate use of the ‘gdlc’ command will render the unit unusable

Type ‘d’ and ‘m’ messages for Data commands

Function

R/W

Block

Command

Data

Type

Data On/Off

r/wdinp

1 byte
0 = Off

- 8 bit data ­1 = no parity
2 = even parity
3 = odd parity

- 7 bit data -

int

92

5 = no parity
6 = even parity
7 = odd parity

Input Data
Baudrate

r/wdbau

1 byte
0 = 1200 baud
1 = 2400 baud
2 = 4800 baud
3 = 9600 baud
4 = 19200 baud
5 = 38400 baud
6 = 57600 baud
(note 57600 is not
supported in DVB-T
modes)
7 = 115200 baud

int

Data PID

r/wdpid

16-8190, 0
dissables

Int

Metadata
Enable
S/W V3.6+

r/wmeta

1 byte
0 = Off
1 = On

int

Metasata
PID

r/wmpid

16-8190, 0
dissables

int

93

Type ‘c’ messages for Chaining commands

Function

R/W

Block

Command

Data

Type

Chaining
Input

r/wcinp

1 byte
0 = Off
1 = On
2 = Relay

int

Chaining
Output

r/wcout

1 byte
0 = Off
1 = On

int

Chaining
Loop

r/wchio

1 byte
0 = Off
1 = output loop to
input for external
encryption

int

Chaining
status
–describes if
chaining
input is
active

rcsta

1 byte
0 = Not Active
1 = Active
2 = Overflow

int

Chain
Number

r/wccha

0 - 9

int

Lowest
Operating
Frequency

r/wcflo

Frequency in MHz

double

Highest
Operating
Frequency

r/wcfhi

Frequency in MHz

double

Intermediate
Operating
Frequency 1

r/wcfl1

Frequency in MHz

double

Intermediate
Operating
Frequency 2

r/wcfl2

Frequency in MHz

double

Calibration
point lowest

r/wcpl1

0 – 32 in 0.25dB
steps

int

Calibration
point
intermediate
1

r/wcpl2

0 – 32 in 0.25dB
steps

int

Calibration
point
intermediate
2

r/wcpl3

0 – 32 in 0.25dB
steps

int

Calibration
point highest

r/wcpl4

0 – 32 in 0.25dB
steps

int

IQ Trim
mode
S/W V3.3+

r/wcitr

0- normal operation
1 – Set single/lower
2 - set mid point
3 – set upper point

int

I trim Value
S/W V3.3+

r/wciqi

-128 to +127
Signed but set and
read as unsigned
(255 = -1)

int

Q Trim Value
S/W V3.3+

r/wciqq

-128 to +127
Signed but set and
read as unsigned

int

94

15.5 Receiver Command List

Type ‘1’ messages for Tuner / Demod

Description

Type

Block

Command

Data Sent

Data
Type

Input
Frequency

r/w1ipf

This is the
frequency
received by the
antenna.
Decimal point
allowed.

Double

Down
Converter LO

r/w1dco

Decimal point
allowed.

Double

Down
Converter LO
Side

r/w1los

0=low
1=high

List

OFDM
Bandwidth

r/w1wid

N.Band Mode
3 = 2.5MHz
4 = 1.25MHz
DVBT Mode
0 = 8MHz
1 = 7MHz
2 = 6MHz

List

OFDM
Modulation
Mode

r1mod

N.Band Mode
0 = QPSK
1 = 16QAM

DVBT Mode
0 = QPSK
1 = 16QAM
2 = 64QAM

List

OFDM FEC

r1fec

N.Band Mode
1 = 2/3
2 = 1/3

DVBT Mode
0 = 1/2
1 = 2/3
2 = 3/4
3 = 5/6
4 = 7/8

List

OFDM
Guard

N.Band
Mode
r/w

DVBT
Mode
r

1

gua

N.Band Mode
1 = 1/16
2 = 1/8

DVBT Mode
0 = 1/32
1 = 1/16
2 = 1/8
3 = 1/4

List

OFDM
Pol

r1pol

0 = Normal
1 = Inverted

List

Input SNR A

r1snr

Input SNR in dB

Double

Input SNR B

r1mer

Input SNR in dB

Double

Input SNR C

r1cer

Input SNR in dB

Double

Input SNR D

r1dnr

Input SNR in dB

Double

BER Pre
Viterbi

r1pre

Pre Viterbi x 10-6

Int

BER Post
Viterbi

r1pos

Post Viterbi x 10-6

Int

Packet errors

r1pkt

Int

Lock Status

r1loc

0 = Not Locked
1 = Locked

List

Input Level A

r1ina

Input Level in dBm

Double

Input Level B

r1inb

Input Level in dBm

Double

Input Level C

r1Inc

Input Level in dBm

Double

Input Level D

r1ind

Input Level in dBm

Double

95

Type ‘g’ messages for Unit level commands

Description

Type

Block

Command

Data Sent

Data
Type

Unit Mode

r/wgudm

0 = Narrow
Band
1 = DVBT

List

Input Mode

r/wgmod

0 = RF Input
8 = Chaining
Input

List

LNB Power

r/wglnb

0 = OFF
1 = ON

List

Unit RS232
Address

r/wgadd

Unit Address
0001 - 9998

Integer

Software Version

rgsof

Software
Version
Number

String

FPGA Version

rgfpg

FPGA Version
Number

String

Serial Number

rgser

Hex based
Serial Number

String

License Code

wglco

License
number to
enable certain
features

List

On Screen
Display

r/wgosd

0 = Off
1 = Channel A
2 = Channel B
3 = Channel C
4 = Channel D

List

On Screen
Display Page
S/W V3.6+

r/wgosp

0 = Original
1 = Status
2 = Advanced
3 = Eng. Data
4 = Scanning
5 = GPS

List

On Screen
Display Timeout
S/W V3.6+

r/wgost

OSD timeout
in seconds

Integer

Frequency Scan
Range Minimum
S/W V3.6+

r/wgsmi

Starting
frequency for
scan in GHz

Double

Frequency Scan
Range Maximum
S/W V3.6+

r/wgsma

Ending
frequency for
scan in GHz

Double

Frequency Scan
Resolution
S/W V3.6+

r/wgsre

Resolution of
frequency
scan in MHz

Double

Auxiliary Address
(used in daisy
chaining mode)

r/wgaux

Unit Address
0001 - 9998

Integer

AGC Meter
Scale

r/wgagc

Range 0 - 10.0
Decimal point
allowed.

Double

Daisy Chain
RS232 Control

r/wgcdc

0 = OFF
1 = ON

List

Auto Spectrum
Detection
(Narrow Band)

r/wgasd

0 = OFF
1 = ON

List

Chaining Output
Mode 1

r/wgcha

0 = Demod
1 = Chaning In

List

Chaining Output
Mode 2

r/wgch2

0 = Pre­Descrambling
1 = Post­Descrambling

List

License Mask

rglma

Bit mask of
licensed
features

Integer

96

Down Converter
Gain Offset

r/wgdcg

Range -30.0 ­+30.0.
Decimal point
allowed.

Double

Board Type

rgbty

PCB Type

String

Type ‘e’ messages for Decoder configuration commands

Description

Type

Block

Command

Data Sent

Data
Type

Unit Number

r/weser

Index into List of
programs

List

Preferred Unit
Name

r/wedef

Preferred Unit
Name

String

525 Video Format

r/we525

1 = NTSC
2 = NTSC No
Ped

List

Locked

reloc

0 = No
1 = Yes

List

Line Standard

relin

0 = 625
1 = 525

Integer

Fail mode

r/wefai

0 = freeze
1 = blue

List

Power Up Line
Standard

r/wepwr

0 = 625
1 = 525

List

Service
Scrambling
Status

rescr

0 = Clear
1 =Scrambled

List

MPEG-4 De­blocking Filter

r/wedeb

0 = Enable
1 = Disable

List

Received Video
Type

revid

0 = MPEG-2
1 = MPEG-4

List

Transmitter Video
Input Lock

retxv

0 = Unlocked
1 = Locked

List

Default Service
Name Match

redsm

0 = No match
1 = Match

List

Video PID

revpi

13-bit PID

Integer

Audio PID

reapi

13-bit PID

Integer

Data PID

redpi

13-bit PID

Integer

Video Frame Lock
Mode

r/wefra

0 = Received sig.
1 = Local/Internal

List

Type ‘d’ messages for Memory configuration commands

Description

Type

Block

Command

Data Sent

Data Type

Store
Current
Configuration
to Memory

r/wdsto

Config
Address (1
to 9)

Integer

Load
Configuration
from Memory
into current

r/wdloa

Config
Address (1
to 9)

Integer

Restore
Default Build

r/wddef

0 = No
1 = Yes

List

Read
number of
last config
loaded

rdlas

Config
Address

Integer

97

Type ‘z’ messages for Descrambling commands

Description

Type

Block

Command

Data Sent

Data
Type

Descrambling

r/wzdes

0 = Off
1 = ABS
4 = AES128
5 = AES128+
6 = AES256
7= AES256+

List

ABS
Scrambling
Key

wzebs

Alink basic
scrambling
key

8-digit
hex string

AES
Scrambling
Key – lower
128 bits

wzaes

Advanced
Encryption
Standard –
lower 128 bits

32-digit
hex
string

AES
Scrambling
Key – upper
128 bits used
in AES256
only

wza25

Advanced
Encryption
Standard –
upper 128 bits

32-digit
hex
string

Type ‘t’ messages for RS232 data pipe commands

Description

Type

Block

Command

Data Sent

Data
Type

Data On/Off

r/wtdat

0 = Off
1 = On

List

Data
Baudrate

rtbau

2 = 1200 baud
3 = 2400 baud
4 = 4800 baud
5 = 9600 baud
6 = 19200 baud
7 = 38400 baud

8 = 57600 baud

9 = 115200 baud

List

Data Parity

r/wtpar

0 = none
1 = even
2 = odd

List

98

16 Default Configurations

This section tabulates the default configuration settings for domo SOLO
products.

Item

SOL2TX-228255 (2.28 to

2.55GHz)

SOL2TXLE-240248 (2.4
to 2.483GHz)

SOL4TX-228255 (2.28 to

2.55GHz)

SOL4TXLE-240248 (2.4
to 2.483GHz)

SOL2TX-115140 (1.15 to

1.4GHz)

SOL2TXLE-138139 (1.389
to 1.399GHz)

SOL4TX-115140 (1.15 to

1.4GHz)

SOL4TXLE-138139 (1.389
to 1.399GHz)

RF Output

OFF

OFF

Frequency

2405MHz

1395MHZ

Modulation

QPSK

QPSK

Power

Maximum

Maximum

Standby

OFF

OFF

Unit Address

0001

0001

Unit name

Solo-01 (SOLO4) Unit 1 (SOLO2)

Solo-01 (SOLO4) Unit 1 (SOLO2)

Horizontal
Resolution

528

528

Video Input

PAL

PAL

Audio

OFF

OFF

Data

OFF

OFF

Audio Input

Line level

Line level

Scrambling

OFF

OFF

AES Key

None

None

Item

SOLO2/SOLO4 RX
Configs 1 to 4

SOLO2/SOLO4 RX
Configs 5 to 8

LNB Power

ON

ON

Frequency

2405MHz

1395MHZ

Down converter LO

1880

1700

LO Side

Low

High

Unit Address

0001

0001

Default Service

Solo-01 (SOLO4) Unit 1 (SOLO2)

Solo-01 (SOLO4) Unit 1
(SOLO2)

Video Fail

Blue Field

Blue Field

Data

OFF

OFF

De-Scrambling

OFF

OFF

AES Key

None

None

99

Cobham Surveillance

Domo Products
11 Manor Court, Barnes Wallis Road, Segensworth,
Hampshire, PO15 5TH, England

T: [phone]
F: [phone]

Current
selected
Config

RF Advanced

----------­Input(GHz)

2.50000
TPS Lock
Yes
FEC Lock
Yes

Constel