Sierra Video 807110-00 User Manual

SIERRA VIDEO SYSTEMS, INC.

DigiLinx One Rack Unit, 6 Module Frame
and Optional SmartLinx Local Control Panel

807110-00 (frame)
804711-00 (control panel)

V2.0

Introduction

The one rack unit (1 RU) DigiLinx frame provides for 6 ‘single slot’ DigiLinx modules or three ‘two slot’
modules. The rear panel is equipped with two SmartLinx network connectors allowing the SmartLinx
network cabling to ‘loop through’ the frame. A simple power indicating front panel is provided with the
standard product while a built-in SmartLinx LCD control panel can be added as an option.

Peripheral Connections

807110-00:

The rear panel provides the following connections to the user:

POWER - This IEC compatible power inlet contains a user accessible 4A, 250V fuse

SMARTLINX - These “Mini XLR” connectors provide external access to the SmartLinx control bus

which is connected to each module within the frame. The connectors are wired to each other to
allow the network signals to ‘loop through’ the frame passively. The pins are numbered as
follows:

Table 1:SmartLinx connector Pinout

Pin
Number Description
1 SmartLinx ‘A’
2 Ground
3 SmartLinx ‘B’

807110-00 Standard Front Panel:

804711-00 Optional Local Control Panel:

DigiLinx 1 RU Frame User’s Guide 2

SmartLinx Functionality

The SmartLinx connections to the frame allow multiple frames to be ‘daisy chained’ together to create a
network containing over 150 modules. While a SmartLinx controller (such as a Host Adapter) may be
installed in this frame, it is not necessary to do so. Any controller anywhere in the network can control all
modules within the network. Note that these connections are passive and that the failure of any frame
within the network does not disable the rest of the network (unless the only controller is installed in the
disabled frame).

The frame also contains passive circuitry which allows the frame to identify itself (through SmartLinx
modules plugged into it) to the SmartLinx controllers. Each frame has a frame address, which can be
changed using a pair of jumpers accessible through the front of the frame with the front panel removed. If a
new frame does not appear on a network containing more than one such frame, the new frame may be set to
an address already in use. The switches within the 807110 should be changed until the SmartLinx
controllers on the network independently identify all such frames. No 1 rack unit frame addresses overlap
with any 3 rack unit or desktop frame addresses.

The frame also contains passive ‘slot ID’ circuitry which indicates the position of specific modules within
the frame. Slots are numbered 1 through 6 starting with the upper leftmost slot (as viewed from the rear of
the frame).

The three conductor in-line connectors which mate with the SmartLinx connectors on DigiLinx frames are
supplied with each shipped frame (two per frame). They are Switchcraft part number TA3F, available
directly from Sierra Video Systems.

Power Supply Indicators (standard front panel)

The non-local control panel version of the 1 RU frame is equipped with a front panel featuring 3 power
indication LED’s. The LED’s are located behind the ‘dots’ of the ‘I’s in the DigiLinx trademark on the
panel face. The LED’s indicate (from left to right); +5V power OK, +8V power OK, and –8V power OK.
All three of these indicators should glow green to indicate a fully functional frame. Note that some versions
of this frame require a minimum load current to provide stable power. An under-loaded frame will indicate
its condition by flashing its LED’s roughly once per second. Under-loaded frames can be stabilized by
adding additional modules or by adding the DigiLinx Power Monitor module (507105-00) to the frame.

Local SmartLinx Control Panel (optional)

Introduction

This section describes the make-up and operation of the “One rack unit” (hereafter known as ‘1 RU’)
local control panel. Mounted directly on the front of a 6-module DigiLinx frame, this device provides
access to and control of any DigiLinx module installed in that frame via the SmartLinx communication
protocol. The internal electronic connection between the panel and the frame provides the panel with
power and an RS485 serial connection for the SmartLinx interface.

Access and control of a DigiLinx module consists of viewing and/or modifying parameters specific
to the currently selected module. Some examples of module parameters would be line mode, video
standard, delay values, video gains and offsets, etc. While some parameters are common to several
DigiLinx products, others are unique to a single product.

DigiLinx 1 RU Frame User’s Guide 3

Description

The 1 RU control panel allows a user to interact with DigiLinx modules, reading and altering values
that affect the operating parameters of those devices. This interaction occurs within two distinct
operating modes:

1. “Normal” – user interacts with the modules and their respective parameters, and

2. “Config” – user interacts with the panel and its operating characteristics.

In either mode, interaction occurs via a pushbutton and LCD display interface.

Modules may be removed, replaced with another module, or moved to another slot within the frame
without powering down or resetting the unit. Detection of the presence and disappearance of modules
is automatic.

The panel may be disabled, disconnecting it from the SmartLinx interface, allowing another host
device to interact with the frame and its modules. When disabled, the user only has access to the
Config mode on the panel. Cycling the unit through a power-down, power-up sequence will retain the
state of the panel; i.e., if disabled when powered down, the panel will remain disabled after power-up.

Panel Components

The control panel is comprised of two major physical components, a 12-button keypad and a LCD
display, that make up the user interface for this device.

Keypad

The keypad consists of 12 individually lit pushbuttons arranged in a single row to the right of the
display. They are organized by functionality into 4 groups. Buttons that navigate the display are
located closest to it, those that select specific modules are to the right of the navigator buttons, and a
single button to enter and exit config mode is located at the far right.

The following subsections describe each of the 4 groups of buttons, starting at the left end of the
keypad and progressing successively to the right.

Navigator Keys

These are the 3 leftmost buttons and consist of two field selector keys – ‘Back’ and ‘Next’, and a
character selector key – the ‘*’ or ‘star’ key. The field selector keys move the user from field to field

on the display, in the direction relevant to the key’s name. The character selector key moves the user
from character to character within a single field. Though capable, these keys are never lit by any
operation performed on the panel.

Note that the ”star” key may be considered a dual-purpose key – a navigator key as described above,
and an operator key. As an operator key, this button is used to initiate an operation such as “save
parameters to EEPROM” when prompted by the display.

DigiLinx 1 RU Frame User’s Guide 4

Operator Keys

The next 2 buttons on the keypad are the operator keys – ‘Up’ and ‘Down’. These keys allow the user
to:

1. Select a particular module parameter to be viewed or modified.

2. Change the value of a selected parameter.

3. Select a particular slot and the associated module that is mounted in it.

4. Change characters within a string of characters.

5. Enter a password.

Changes made with these keys may be done as single press increments or by holding the key pressed,
causing the value being changed to scroll through the selections available. In “hold-down” operation,
values begin changing rapidly in the direction of the operator key after an initial half-second of delay.

Like the Navigator Keys, these buttons remain unlit during the operation of the panel.

Module Selection Keys

These 6 buttons, labeled 1 to 6, allow the user to immediately select a particular slot. Each slot may
or may not contain a module and the display will reflect that fact with the appropriate error message or
if populated, that module’s starting information.

The lights on these buttons are activated and have a specific meaning. When lit, they indicate that a
SmartLinx module is present in the slot indicated by the key name. When unlit, they indicate an
empty slot.

Mode Select Key

This is a single button used to select one of two operation modes on the panel – “normal” vs.
“configuration”. Button presses to this key toggle between the two modes.

The light within this button is always lit as an indication that power is being supplied to the panel.

DigiLinx 1 RU Frame User’s Guide 5