The compact signal generator for all digital and analog TV and audio broadcasting standards
Broadcast multistandard platform
◆
Realtime signal generation for digital
◆
and analog transmission standards
Wide frequency range with excellent
◆
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
ParameterConditionValue
RF signalfrequency range100 kHz to 2.5 GHz
frequency resolution1 Hz
level–100 dBm to +15 dBm
level accuracy<1.0 dB
Spectral puritySSB phase noise, at
<–115 dBc/Hz
300 MHz with 20 kHz
offset
broadband noise
<–135 dBc/Hz
>10 MHz
Digital modulation
modes
terrestrial TVDVB-T, DTMB, ISDB-T,
ATSC/8VSB
cable TVDVB-C, J.83/B
satellite TVDVB-S/DSNG, DVB-S2,
DirecTV
mobile TVDVB-H, T-DMB,
ISDB-T1-segment (par-
tial reception),
DMB-TH, MediaFLO
Analog modulation
digital sound broadcasting
analog TVB/G, D/K, I, M/N, L
DAB, DRM (waveform),
ISDB-Tsb
modes
analog sound broad-
AM/FM/RDS
casting
I/Q modulatorfrequency rangeDC to 35 MHz
Noise generatorRF bandwidth96 MHz
distribution functionGaussian, statistical,
separate for I and Q
BER measurementPRBS measurementBER clock input, data,
enable
-
MPEG-2 TS measure
ASI input
ment
TS generatornet data ratemax. 90 Mbit/s
General informationPC platform
Windows XP Embedded
remote controlSCPI 199.5
Ethernet10/100BaseT, RJ-45
USB2.0
operating temperature
+5 °C to +45 °C
range
power supply90 V AC to 240 V AC,
50 Hz to 60 Hz
dimensions235 mm × 55 mm ×
465 mm
9.25 in × 6.1 in × 18.3 in
weight<6 kg
<13.23 lb
DesignationTypeOrder No.
Base unit
Broadcast TesterR&S®SFE2112.4300.02
Options
Digital modulation
modes
DVB-T/HR&S®SFE-K12113.4010.02
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-K22113.4032.02
R&S®SFE-K32113.4055.02
R&S®SFE-K42113.4078.02
R&S®SFE-K52113.4090.02
1)
R&S®SFE-K62113.4110.02
R&S®SFE-K82113.4132.02
R&S®SFE-K92113.4155.02
R&S®SFE-K102113.4178.02
T-DMB/DABR&S®SFE-K112113.4190.02
TM
1)
DTMB
Analog modulation
1)
modes
R&S®SFE-K122113.4210.02
ATV-B/GR&S®SFE-K1902113.4655.02
ATV-D/KR&S®SFE-K1912113.4678.02
ATV-IR&S®SFE-K1922113.4690.02
ATV-M/NR&S®SFE-K1932113.4710.02
ATV-LR&S®SFE-K1942113.4732.02
Multi ATVR&S®SFE-K1952113.4755.02
Baseband
TS Generator,
R&S®SFE-K202113.4878.02
includes SDTV stream
library
TRP PlayerR&S®SFE-K222113.5274.02
Video GeneratorR&S®SFE-K232113.4890.02
Simulation
ARB GeneratorR&S®SFE-K352113.4932.02
AWGN GeneratorR&S®SFE-K402113.4910.02
Measurement and
analysis function
BER Measurement1)R&S®SFE-K602113.5151.02
Baseband inputs
Extended I/Q Input1)R&S®SFE-K802113.5251.02
Other expansions
Memory Expansion R&S®SFE-B32113.4500.02
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
SimulationBaseband
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)