Rohde and Schwarz SFE Data Sheet

¸SFE Broadcast Tester
The compact signal generator for all digital and analog TV and audio broadcasting standards
Broadcast multistandard platform
Realtime signal generation for digital
signal quality
Integrated transport stream player
and video/audio generator Arbitrary waveform generator
Ideal supplement to the high-end
¸SFU broadcast test system
Integrated noise generator and BER
tester Compact cabinet with convenient
graphical user interface
Version
01.00
July
2007
Front view of the ¸SFE
The ¸SFE is a multistandard capable broadcast signal generator that supports all common TV standards and a num­ber of sound broadcasting standards. Whether analog or digital terrestrial TV, cable, satellite, and mobile TV, or digital sound broadcasting – all these signals can be modulated in realtime. For this purpose, the ¸SFE combines a high­quality RF modulator, a universal real­time coder, and baseband signal sources in one instrument.
Owing to its modular concept, the ¸SFE can be optimally adapted to the requirements at hand – for example, with an integrated noise generator or a BER tester. And also after purchase the ¸SFE can be quickly and eas­ily expanded to include new modulation modes by installing software options.
The versatile baseband signal sources for digital TV standards allow the generation of test signals from Rohde & Schwarz libraries as well as the replay of proprietary transport streams. For analog TV, the ¸SFE offers an integrated video/audio test signal gen­erator. Alternatively, the user can feed transport streams as well as analog A/V signals from external baseband genera­tors. Irrespective of the realtime coders used, it is possible to generate user­ defined modulation signals by means of an optional arbitrary waveform genera­tor and to replay waveform files of the customer.
Although the ¸SFE has a com­pact design and does not require much space, it offers the same convenient graphical user interface as the high-end ¸SFU as well as extensive remote control functions.
Applications
The multistandard capability and the flexible option concept make the ¸SFE an extremely versatile instru­ment for many lab applications. How­ever, due to its excellent price/perfor­mance ratio, the ¸SFE is also ideally suited for service and quality assurance applications. In addition, the optional ARB generator in combination with the compact design make the ¸SFE a cost-efficient solution for production applications.
2 ¸SFE Broadcas t Tester
Features
Broadcast multistandard platform
The ¸SFE broadcast tester is a multistandard instrument that supports all common broadcasting standards. Whether analog or digital, terrestrial, sat­ellite or cable, mobile TV or digital sound broadcasting – all these standards can be generated by using only one instrument. Switching over between different stan­dards is quick and easy – a press of a but­ton is enough. Additional and future stan­dards can be added as software update at any time. Up to three standards can be installed simultaneously.
Digital terrestrial TV standards
DVB-T
The success of the European ter­restrial standard DVB-T is continu­ing. More and more countries, also outside Europe, are switching from analog to digital TV and relying on the DVB-T technology, which has now been tried and tested many times and allows high-quality transmission of digital broadcast­ing signals. ISDB-T
ISDB-T is a Japanese standard for the digital terrestrial transmission of video, audio, and data signals by means of 13 segments. ISDB-T with partial reception is for mobile TV reception. 8VSB/ATSC
8VSB is a terrestrial DTV standard from the USA with vestigial side­band modulation. At a bandwidth of 6 MHz, a sideband is partially suppressed in the spectrum. DTMB (GB20600-2006)
GB20600-2006 is the official Chinese standard for digital terres­trial TV. It combines the two former competing proposed standards DMB-T (multicarrier method) and ADTB-T (single-carrier method).
Cable TV standards
DVB-C
The ¸SFE supports all QAM modulation modes defined in the EN 300429 standard. Its power­ful hardware is also able to cover high-order QAM modulations that have not yet been standardized.
J.83/B
J.83/B is an American cable trans­mission standard. The ¸SFE also supports the enhanced J.83/B standard with 1024QAM.
DVB-T/H
PAL B/G
Mobile TV standards
DVB-H
In the ¸SFE, DVB-H and DVB­T have been implemented in one coder. This coder supports the fol­lowing specific DVB-H functions: the newly introduced 4k mode, use of the TPS carriers for time slicing signaling, the additional 5 MHz channel bandwidth and required symbol interleavers with native and in-depth interleaving, as well as MPE forward error correction (FEC). Hierarchical coding is also possible.
DVB-S2
¸SFE Broadcas t Tester 3
T-DMB
T-DMB was developed in Korea and is based on the digital au­dio broadcasting (DAB) standard already introduced in Europe for mobile sound broadcasting recep­tion. The T-DMB/DAB coder in the ¸SFE supports both the Korean and the European transmission standards.
MediaFLOTM
MediaFLOTM is a proprietary trans­mission method that was devel­oped by the American company QUALCOMM and is currently used in a nationwide network in the USA. MediaFLOTM is an OFDM method for channel bandwidths of 5 MHz and 6 MHz which uses QPSK and 16QAM for subcarrier modulation. The data rates trans­mitted to the mobile receiver range between 50 kbit/s and 1 Mbit/s. ISDB-T 1-segment (partial reception)
With mobile ISDB-T in accordance with ARIB B31 1.5, only one of al­together 13 available segments is used for transmission. The remain­ing 12 segments can transmit TV programs for stationary reception. DMB-TH
DMB-TH is a proprietary standard that has evolved from the Chinese DMB-T system. It is also suitable for mobile reception. In the mean­time, DMB-T has been integrated into DTMB (GB20600-2006), the new Chinese standard for terres­trial TV.
Standards for satellite TV
DVB-S, DVB-S/DSNG
DVB-S (EN 300421/EN 301210) was introduced in 1994 as a satellite transmission standard. DVB-S uses QPSK modulation. It has established itself as the world's most widely used satellite transmission stan­dard. DVB-S/DSNG also uses 8PSK and 16QAM. DVB-S2
DVB-S2 employs an innovative and efficient channel coding method that in addition to QPSK and 8PSK is also used with the high-order 16APSK and 32APSK modula­tion modes. The method is very robust, offers safe reception and provides up to 30 % higher data transmission rates than DVB-S. The ¸SFE supports the non-back­ward-compatible broadcast ser­vices (BS-NBCBS). DirecTV
DirecTV (also DirecTV legacy mode) is a proprietary standard with encryption that is widely used in America. Transmis­sion is performed via a special transport stream protocol with 130-byte packets. After conver­sion to 188 bytes, DirecTV transport streams can be replayed with the ¸SFE baseband generator.
Analog TV standards
The B/G, D/K, M/N, L, and I analog standards with the PAL, NTSC, and SECAM color transmission systems are also supported. A video/audio generator for the baseband signal can be integrated, thus eliminat­ing the need for an additional signal generator. Sound broadcasting standards
DAB
Based on a COFDM transmis­sion method, DAB was developed for digital and high-quality audio transmission to mobile receivers. DRM (ARB waveform)
DRM is a COFDM method for digi­tal transmission of sound broad­casting programs via shortwave. ISDB-Tsb
ISDB-Tsb (sound broadcasting) is an expansion of the Japanese ISDB-T digital TV standard for transmitting sound broadcasting programs.
Open for future standards
New transmission standards are provided from Rohde & Schwarz as software updates. These updates can be installed on the ¸SFE and enabled by keycode at any time. The ¸SFE can thus always be used for the latest standards.
Key code entry for new options
4 ¸SFE Broadcas t Tester
Realtime signal generation for digital and analog transmission standards
The generation of modulated signals for various transmission standards in real­time is the key function of the ¸SFE broadcast tester. For this purpose, the ¸SFE uses a universal coder that in a similar form has already proven itself in the high-end ¸SFU broadcast test system.
Universal coder for realtime signal
generation The ¸SFE has a powerful univer­sal hardware platform for baseband signal processing. This platform pro­vides the I and Q bit streams for the broadband vector modulator. Switch­ing over between the different trans­mission standards is performed by reloading the firmware. Thus, a highly accurate spectrum is produced for all modulation modes. Settable modulation parameters
Depending on the selected transmis­sion standard, different modulation parameters such as constellation, code rate, and FFT mode must be defined. These parameters can be varied irrespective of the transport stream or A/V signal to be transmit­ted. All conceivable versions of a standard can thus be tested. The required signaling information for the receiver is automatically adapted by the realtime coder. Additional modulation modes as soft-
ware options The various modulation modes for the realtime coder of the ¸SFE have been completely implemented as firmware. This allows you to quickly and easily add further transmission standards. Many standards have already been preinstalled and can be enabled by entering a keycode.
DVB-H coding menu
Wide frequency range with excellent signal quality
From IF, VHF and UHF up to the L band – the ¸SFE covers the entire fre­quency range that is relevant for broad­casting applications. Despite its favor­able price, the ¸SFE makes no com­promise when it comes to signal quality.
Frequency range 100 kHz to 2.5 GHz
The frequency can be set in 1 Hz steps. Either the center frequency or the channel number is entered, which is especially useful in analog TV. Signal level –100 dBm to +15 dBm
The signal level can be set in 0.1 dB steps. The wear-free electronic atten-
uator permits a virtually unlimited number of switching cycles with ex­cellent reproducibility. This is a signif­icant advantage, especially in produc­tion applications. SSB phase noise at 300 MHz
typ. <–115 dBc at 20 kHz Advanced COFDM modulation meth­ods place high requirements on the stability and spectral purity of the os­cillator signal. In this respect, the RF synthesizer of the ¸SFE sets new standards in its class. The ¸SFE excels not only in terms of its low SSB phase noise but also due to its low broadband noise and good harmonic suppression.
Typical phase noise at 300 MHz
¸SFE Broadcas t Tester 5
Integrated transport stream player and video/audio generator
Digital transmission methods require video or audio transport streams as baseband signal, whereas the ATV mod­ulator requires an analog CCVS signal. With its optional integrated transport stream player and video/audio genera­tor, the ¸SFE can generate both. External baseband generators are thus no longer required. This significantly reduces the number of instruments, es­pecially in complex production systems.
TS generator (¸SFE-K20)
An optional transport stream genera­tor in the baseband internally pro­vides test streams for the realtime coder and allows you to generate endless and seamless high-bit-rate MPEG-2 transport streams. An ex­ternal MPEG-2 generator is thus no longer necessary. The SDTV transport stream library integrated as standard includes ATSC and DVB test streams. The numerous Rohde & Schwarz transport streams cover a wide vari­ety of applications and test scenarios.
Transport stream libraries
A large number of additional libraries can be integrated. They make devel­opment faster and easier and allow new products to be tested.
SDTV – test streams for DVB
and ATSC (included in the ¸SFE-K20 option) HDTV – tests of HDTV receivers
DVB-H – tests of mobile receivers
ISDB-T – test streams
H.264 – test streams
TCM – STB tests
The range of transport stream
libraries is constantly being expanded.
TRP player (¸SFE-K22)
The optional TRP player ideally complements the TS generator and permits users to replay their own transport streams in TRP format. The transport streams can be copied via the USB or LAN interface to the ¸SFE file system and be replayed from there. In addition, the TRP player is used to replay T-DMB and DAB ETI streams. For this purpose, the TRP player can replay predefined ETI test streams for T-DMB and DAB from an optional T-DMB/DAB library (¸SFU-K221).
6 ¸SFE Broadcas t Tester
Example of a section of the DVB-H transport stream library
Compatible with the advanced stream
combiner from Rohde & Schwarz The ¸DV-ASC advanced stream combiner provides full flexibility when generating your own streams, which can be used with the ¸SFE-K20 TS generator. It allows you to gener­ate your own transport streams, also for DVB-H. ATV video generator (¸SFE-K23)
By means of the ATV video genera­tor, test patterns and audio signals for analog TV can be generated. The ATV video generator includes FuBK and color bar test patterns for PAL, SECAM, and NTSC. ATV video library from
Rohde & Schwarz The ATV video library provides a broad range of test patterns for ana­log TV that far exceeds the scope of the basic equipment of the ATV video generator. It also includes Cross Hatch, Color Bar, Philips, and Monoscope/Reteoma.
¸DV-ASC advanced stream combiner
Analog video test signals
¸SFE Broadcas t Tester 7
Arbitrary waveform generator (¸SFE-K35)
The optional integrated arbitrary wave­form (ARB) generator of the ¸SFE can replay proprietary I/Q waveforms as well as waveform libraries from Rohde & Schwarz for various transmis­sion standards and thus opens up a wide range of additional applications. It is thus possible to generate any externally com­puted RF signals – from complex modula­tion signals to special interferers as, for example, notched noise. In particular, modulation signals can be generated irre­spective of the realtime coders installed. Externally generated I/Q waveform files can be loaded into the ¸SFE via one of the computer interfaces (USB or LAN) and read out from the internal memory.
At least 128 Msamples memory space
A hardware resampler and the result­ing large sequence length reduce the memory space needed to store I/Q waveforms on the hard disk. This allows you to store a large number of I/Q waveforms directly on the hard disk.
Sample rate up to 100 Msamples/s
Due to its high sample rate, the ARB generator can generate signals with a baseband bandwidth up to 30 MHz. Compatible with ¸WinIQSim™
The R&S®SFE allows the use of the ¸WinIQSIM™ simulation soft­ware. Waveforms generated with ¸WinIQSim™ can be loaded into the ARB generator of the ¸SFE and be replayed.
Generation of ARB waveforms with ¸WinIQSim™
Waveform libraries from
Rohde & Schwarz Additional waveform libraries allow quick evaluation of new modula­tion modes. I/Q waveform libraries are available for the following sig­nals: T-DMB/DAB (¸SFU-K351), DVB-H (¸SFU-K352), DRM (¸SFU-K353), and MediaFLOTM (¸SFU-K355). The range of wave­form libraries is constantly being expanded.
8 ¸SFE Broadcas t Tester
Selection of waveforms in the ARB generator
Integrated noise generator and BER
RF output
DUT
Clock
Data
Enable
Rear view
RF output
DUT
TS ASI input
Rear view
tester
In addition to generating signals, the ¸SFE offers a number of additional functions for special measurements and for simulating interference in real trans­mission channels.
Broadband AWGN generator
(¸SFE-K40) The optional digital additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) generator is used as a source for generating a pure noise signal modulated onto the carrier and for influencing the ac­tual useful signal. Realistic noise in the transmission path – via satellite, cable, or antenna – can be simulated by generating a 96 MHz AWGN sig­nal with Gaussian amplitude distri­bution and settable S/N ratio in the digital baseband processing unit of the ¸SFE. BER measurement at transport
stream or bit level (¸SFE-K60) The optional BER measurement is used to check the transmission qual­ity in the channel and the reception quality in the device under test (DUT). For this purpose, the ¸SFE gener­ates a baseband signal with a pseudo random binary sequence (PRBS) as useful data. Either the bit stream received from the DUT or the decod­ed transport stream can be looped back to the ¸SFE. The ¸SFE uses this information to determine the bit error ratio by comparing the sent and received data.
Useful signal with AWGN
Block diagram of the BER measurement
¸SFE Broadcas t Tester 9
Compact cabinet with convenient graphical user interface
Compact design and convenient opera­tion need not be mutually exclusive: Although the ¸SFE is only half as wide as the ¸SFU, it provides the same controls and user interfaces – both locally on the front panel and by means of remote control.
½ 19" × 3 height units
The cabinet of the ¸SFE, which is only ½ 19" in width, makes it an ex­tremely compact instrument. This is an advantage particularly in produc­tion applications, when many instru­ments have to be installed in racks without much space. Large VGA color display with
640 × 480 pixels The ¸SFE has a 5.7" easy-to-read VGA color display. Together with the straightforward graphical user inter­face, the display allows quick, easy, and reliable operation of the instru­ment. The most important operating parameters are always clearly visible. Intuitive user interface under
Windows XP Embedded The ¸SFE has the same graphical user interface that is already success­fully used in the ¸SFU. The user interface is straightforward, with a tree on the left side and a work view on the right side. The instrument is operated via a keypad and a rotary knob. Additionally, a keyboard and mouse can be connected to the USB interfaces. Context-sensitive help system
Even during ongoing operation, the ¸SFE allows you to access the extensive help system, which in­cludes the entire information of the user manual. The help system always starts context-sensitively, i.e. with information on the currently selected operating parameter.
User-definable favorites for quick
access Parameters that are often used can be copied to the Favorites menu, which makes operation even quicker and easier. This function is particu­larly useful when you have to often change parameters from different submenus.
User-definable favorites
Easy software updates via LAN or
USB 2.0 Owing to USB 2.0 and LAN inter­faces, software updates for the ¸SFE can be performed very quickly and easily. For this purpose, you just copy the new software to the ¸SFE by means of a USB memory stick or via FTP and start the fully automatic installation.
10 ¸SFE Broadcas t Tester
Context-sensitive online help
Remote operation via Remote
Desktop or VNC The ¸SFE can be easily remote­operated via an Ethernet connec­tion or in a LAN network over IP and preconfigured for DHCP use by means of the preinstalled Remote Desktop software or the VNC software that comes with the instrument. Remote control via LAN
Remote control is possible by means of SCPI control commands via LAN (VXI11). The ¸SFE can thus be integrated into existing test programs very easily. Remote control commands are com-
patible with those of the ¸SFU.
Benefits
Expandable for future standards In the last few years, digital broadcasting and TV technology has made dra­matic advances and will continue to evolve also in the future. Existing stan­dards are continuously being improved, and new standards and technologies are launched on the market. Rohde & Schwarz keeps a close eye on these developments and, in many cases, actively contributes its expertise – and is therefore always able to provide its customers with signal generators for new standards early on. The multistandard broadcasting signal generators from Rohde & Schwarz can be quickly and easily converted to new standards by means of software update at any time – without any hardware modifications.
Modular concept The ¸SFE has a completely modular design. Customers can select between various transmission standards and also between a number of optional extra functions. The ¸SFE can thus be optimally adapted to cus­tomer requirements – with regard to application area as well as scope of func­tions. Since almost all options have been implemented as software options, the instrument can be expanded on-site by the customer at any time. That means that the ¸SFE always provides maximum flexibility despite custom­ized optimization.
The same look & feel as the ¸SFU Both the tried-and-tested operating concept and the straightforward graphical user interface of the ¸SFU were completely transferred to the ¸SFE. Customers who already know the ¸SFU will be able to operate the ¸SFE immediately and without training. It is thus very easy to change between the ¸SFU and ¸SFE.
Rear view
¸SFE Broadcas t Tester 11
Specifications in brief
Ordering information
Parameter Condition Value
RF signal frequency range 100 kHz to 2.5 GHz
frequency resolution 1 Hz
level –100 dBm to +15 dBm
level accuracy <1.0 dB
Spectral purity SSB phase noise, at
<–115 dBc/Hz 300 MHz with 20 kHz offset
broadband noise
<–135 dBc/Hz >10 MHz
Digital modulation modes
terrestrial TV DVB-T, DTMB, ISDB-T,
ATSC/8VSB
cable TV DVB-C, J.83/B
satellite TV DVB-S/DSNG, DVB-S2,
DirecTV
mobile TV DVB-H, T-DMB,
ISDB-T1-segment (par-
tial reception),
DMB-TH, MediaFLO
Analog modulation
digital sound broad­casting
analog TV B/G, D/K, I, M/N, L
DAB, DRM (waveform),
ISDB-Tsb
modes
analog sound broad-
AM/FM/RDS casting
I/Q modulator frequency range DC to 35 MHz
Noise generator RF bandwidth 96 MHz
distribution function Gaussian, statistical,
separate for I and Q
BER measurement PRBS measurement BER clock input, data,
enable
-
MPEG-2 TS measure
ASI input ment
TS generator net data rate max. 90 Mbit/s
General information PC platform
Windows XP Embedded
remote control SCPI 199.5
Ethernet 10/100BaseT, RJ-45
USB 2.0
operating temperature
+5 °C to +45 °C range
power supply 90 V AC to 240 V AC,
50 Hz to 60 Hz
dimensions 235 mm × 55 mm ×
465 mm
9.25 in × 6.1 in × 18.3 in
weight <6 kg
<13.23 lb
Designation Type Order No.
Base unit
Broadcast Tester R&S®SFE 2112.4300.02
Options
Digital modulation modes
DVB-T/H R&S®SFE-K1 2113.4010.02
1)
DVB-C
DVB-S/DSNG
ATSC/8VSB
J.83/B
1)
1)
1)
ISDB-T/ISDB-Tsb
1)
DVB-S2
1)
DirecTV
TM1)
MediaFLO
R&S®SFE-K2 2113.4032.02
R&S®SFE-K3 2113.4055.02
R&S®SFE-K4 2113.4078.02
R&S®SFE-K5 2113.4090.02
1)
R&S®SFE-K6 2113.4110.02
R&S®SFE-K8 2113.4132.02
R&S®SFE-K9 2113.4155.02
R&S®SFE-K10 2113.4178.02
T-DMB/DAB R&S®SFE-K11 2113.4190.02
TM
1)
DTMB
Analog modulation
1)
modes
R&S®SFE-K12 2113.4210.02
ATV-B/G R&S®SFE-K190 2113.4655.02
ATV-D/K R&S®SFE-K191 2113.4678.02
ATV-I R&S®SFE-K192 2113.4690.02
ATV-M/N R&S®SFE-K193 2113.4710.02
ATV-L R&S®SFE-K194 2113.4732.02
Multi ATV R&S®SFE-K195 2113.4755.02
Baseband
TS Generator,
R&S®SFE-K20 2113.4878.02 includes SDTV stream library
TRP Player R&S®SFE-K22 2113.5274.02
Video Generator R&S®SFE-K23 2113.4890.02
Simulation
ARB Generator R&S®SFE-K35 2113.4932.02
AWGN Generator R&S®SFE-K40 2113.4910.02
Measurement and analysis function
BER Measurement1)R&S®SFE-K60 2113.5151.02
Baseband inputs
Extended I/Q Input1)R&S®SFE-K80 2113.5251.02
Other expansions
Memory Expansion R&S®SFE-B3 2113.4500.02
1)
In prep aration.
¸SFE Broadcas t Tester 12
Option overview
Miscellaneous
¸SFE-B3
Memory expansion
DV-HDTV
HDTV streams
DV-DVBH
DVB-H streams
SDTV streams
included
¸SFE-K20
TS generator
¸SFU-K221
T-DMB/DAB streams
¸SFE-K22
TRP player
Simulation Baseband
Software optionHardware
¸SFE-K4
ATSC/8VSB
¸SFE-K3
DVB-S/DSNG
¸SFE-K2
DVB-C
¸SFE-K1
DVB-T/H
¸SFE-K9
DirecTV
¸SFE-K8
DVB-S2
¸SFE-K11
T-DMB/DAB
¸SFE-K6
ISDB-T/ISDB-Tsb
Digital modulation
¸SFE-K80
Ext. dig. I/Q IN
¸SFE
Analysis
¸SFE-K10
MediaFLO™
¸SFE-K12
DTMB
¸SFE-K60
BER measurement
¸SFE-K190
ATV-B/G
¸SFE-K191
ATV-D/K
¸SFE-K192
ATV-I
¸SFE-K193
ATV-M/N
¸SFE-K194
ATV-L
¸SFE-K195
Multi ATV
¸SFE-K35
ARB generator
¸SFU-K351
T-DMB/DAB
¸SFU-K352
DVB-H
¸SFU-K353
DRM
¸SFU-K354
DTV interferers
¸SFU-K355
MediaFLO™ waveforms
¸SFE-K40
AWGN generator
¸SFE-K23
video generator
DV-ISDBT
ISDB-T streams
DV-TCM
TCM streams
Analog modulation
max. 3 ×
¸SFE-K5
J.83/B
Overview of ¸SFE options
¸ATV
video basic included
¸ATV-Video
DV-H264
H.264 streams
¸SFE Broadcas t Tester 13
Certified Quality System
ISO 9001
DQS REG. NO 1954 QM
Certified Environmental System
ISO
14001
DQS REG. NO 1954 UM
For data sheet, see PD 5213.8596.22
and www.rohde-schwarz.com
(search term: SFE)
· ¸SFE · Data without tolerance limits is not binding · Subject to change
¸ is a registered trademark of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG · Trade names are trademarks of the owners · Printed in Germany (bb)
PD 5213.8596.12 · Version 01.00 · July 2007
Europe: +49 1805 12 4242, customersupport@rohde-schwarz.com
www.rohde-schwarz.com
USA and Canada: +1-888-837-8772, customer.support@rsa.rohde-schwarz.com
Asia: +65 65 130 488, customersupport.asia@rohde-schwarz.com
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