Studio Technologies 5150 User Manual V.3
Model 5150
Video Generator Module
User Guide
Issue 1, June 2013
This User Guide is applicable for
Model 5150 modules with the following order codes:
M5150, M5150-01, M5150-02, M5150-03X, and M5150-04X
with serial numbers 00151 and later
and firmware versions
MCU 1.3 (m5150.s19) and FPGA 1.2 (m5150.bit)
Copyright © 2013 by Studio Technologies, Inc., all rights reserved
www.studio-tech.com
50184-0613, Issue 1
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Video Generator Module
Model 5150
Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................... 5
Installation .................................................................... 7
Configuration ................................................................ 11
Operation ...................................................................... 13
Technical Notes ............................................................ 16
Specifications ............................................................... 22
Appendix A—Model 5150 Versions .............................. 23
Appendix B—DC Input/Data Interconnection Details ... 24
Appendix C—Model 5150 Front Panel and
Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Dimensions ...................... 26
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Video Generator
Model 5150
Module
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Issue 1, June 2013 Model 5150 User Guide
Page 4 Studio Technologies, Inc.
Video Generator Module
Model 5150
Introduction
The Model 5150 Video Generator Module
is a unique device suited for a variety of
custom broadcast, post-production, industrial, and corporate multimedia installations. As a member of the 5100-Series
of modules, the Model 5150’s compact
size belies its powerful video feature set.
Advanced circuitry within the Model 5150
supports the generation of a broadcaststandard high-definition SDI signal. And
rather than reproducing a fixed test pattern, the Model 5150 has the capability
to store and output two custom video
images. The images, one for “720” and
one for “1080,” are based on bitmap (.bmp)
files that can be created using a personal
computer’s graphics program.
For convenience, the .bmp files are loaded
into the module’s nonvolatile memory via a
standard USB flash drive. The appropriate
“720” or “1080” image is automatically connected to the SDI output whenever an SDI
input signal is not present. This ensures
that an SDI output signal is always sent to
equipment further along the signal chain.
The Model 5150’s video signal generation
capability can be extremely useful, serving as both a “keep-alive” signal as well as
allowing a detailed graphics image to be
displayed for identification purposes. To
clarify, when a valid HD- or 3G-SDI signal
is connected to the module’s input it will
pass through, unchanged, to the module’s
SDI output. Only when an input is not present will the custom image be generated.
The format and rate of the custom image
will match that of the previously-connected
SDI input signal. This “learning” capability allows a Model 5150 to automatically
adapt to the SDI format and rate utilized
by a specific facility or application.
General Highlights
Applications for the Model 5150 include
sports broadcasting booth packages,
“POV” (point-of-view) remote-controlled
camera systems, stadium video interface
(I/O) locations, and government/corporate
facilities. The module’s performance is
completely “pro” with video quality, reliability, and installation flexibility matching that
of much larger-scale equipment.
For operation the Model 5150 only requires connection of a few signals. These
consist of SDI inputs and outputs, an
external source of nominal 12 volts DC
and, optionally, two wires associated with
a local RS-485 data bus. Coaxial SDI input
and output support is standard. Optical
input and output support is optional. The
acceptable DC input voltage range is 10 to
18, allowing a variety of power sources to
be utilized.
Figure 1. Model 5150 Video Generator Module front and rear views
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Video Generator
Model 5150
Module
The Model 5150 uses standard connectors
for fast, convenient interfacing. Coaxial
SDI input and output signals use BNC connectors. An optional video SFP fiber optic
module can be installed at the factory. The
module supports interconnection of singlemode optical fibers using LC plugs. The DC
power input and data bus connections use
a 4-position, 0.1-inch header. Low-cost IDC
(insulation-displacement connector) mating
sockets allow simple interconnection with a
variety of wire gauges. Four status LEDs
offer users both performance confidence
and troubleshooting assistance.
The Model 5150 is compatible with the
Studio Technologies’ Model 5190 Remote
Access Module. This will allow remote
monitoring and control, via an Ethernet
connection, of key module operating and
status parameters. A local RS-485 data bus
allows up to 16 of the 5100-Series modules
to be connected to a Model 5190.
Several switches are accessible during
installation and allow configuration of key
operating parameters. Updating the Model
5150’s firmware (embedded software) is
possible using a USB flash drive loaded
with personal-computer-compatible files.
Model 5150 Video Generator Modules do
not include a mounting enclosure or chassis. They are intended for mounting in custom 19-inch rack panels, equipment boxes,
broadcast furniture, “NEMA” I/O boxes, or
other specialized enclosures. It is expected
that integration firms will create applications
that use Model 5150 modules as part of
complete broadcast, production, corporate,
and government solutions. Sophisticated
users will be able to easily create “one-off”
solutions to solve unique challenges.
SDI Inputs and SDI Outputs
High-definition SMPTE-compatible SDI signals with data rates of 1.485 Gb/s nominal
(HD-SDI) and 2.97 Gb/s nominal (3G-SDI)
can be connected. Virtually all of the commonly-utilized “720” and “1080” formats are
supported. Standard-definition SDI signals
with a data rate of 270 Mb/s nominal (SDSDI) are not supported. It was felt that
users looking for advanced solutions such
as provided by the Model 5150 will not typically be working with SD-SDI signals. But
be assured that many HD-SDI and 3G-SDI
formats and rates are supported, allowing
the Model 5150 to be appropriate for worldwide use.
Coaxial (BNC) Support
Using standard BNC connectors, the Model
5150 supports one coaxial SDI input and
one coaxial SDI output.
Optical Fiber Support
Factory-implemented options allow the
Model 5150 to support SDI signals that
are transported using single-mode optical
fibers. Using video SFP modules a range
of optical input, output, and transceiver
capabilities can be supported. For a list
of available Model 5150 versions refer
to Appendix A.
The standard 1310 nanometer optical
transmit wavelength is available, as are the
more-esoteric CWDM wavelengths. When
a Model 5150 has been provided with an
optical SDI input from the factory a configuration choice selects whether it, or the
coaxial (BNC) input, is active. A module that
includes an optical SDI output will always
have its optical output active, transporting
the same SDI data as that present on the
coaxial (BNC) output.
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Video Generator Module
Model 5150
Video Generation Capability
During typical operation an HD- or 3G-SDI
signal is connected to the Model 5150’s
SDI input. It’s then “passed through” to the
module’s SDI output and on to the next
part of the signal chain. But what happens
when the external SDI signal is not present? That’s when the Model 5150’s internal
SDI generator becomes active. When a
signal is not present on the SDI input the
module will generate a high-definition
(HD- or 3G-SDI) image that will serve as
a “slate,” ID, or “SDI-active” signal.
From the factory two bitmap (.bmp) image
files are stored in nonvolatile memory. One
file is used for generating the image for
1280 x 720 pixel formats and the other for
1920 x 1080 pixel formats. But alternate
bitmap image files can be created and
stored in the Model 5150. These alternate
images can supply site- or applicationspecific information useful to “downstream”
users. Using a personal-computer graphics program, such as Microsoft® Paint® or
Adobe® Photoshop®, generating custom
images and storing them in the appropriate
bitmap format is a simple matter.
A USB port, located on the Model 5150’s
front panel, allows direct connection of
a standard USB flash drive. If the Model
5150’s firmware (embedded software)
recognizes compatible FAT32 bitmap
(.bmp) files on the USB flash drive they will
be automatically loaded into nonvolatile
memory. The USB flash drive can then be
removed with the custom images safely
stored within the Model 5150.
the Model 5150 will output a few seconds
of solid-gray color before the stored image appears. This will help to ensure that
technicians or operators will be visually
“warned” that the module’s input signal
has been lost and that the custom image
will soon be taking its place. It’s hoped
that the gray video image will be innocuous for on-air viewers yet different enough
to encourage operators to switch the
module’s output away from being “on air.”
A unique feature of the Model 5150 is its
ability to automatically adapt to the format
and rate of a connected SDI signal. This
allows the custom image to be output at
the same format and rate as that used by
the associated network, local facility, or
event. If, for example, a connected input
is “1080i/59.94” then the Model 5150 will
automatically detect and store that information. From then on whenever an SDI
input signal is not present the internal
generator will output the custom image at
“1080i/59.94.” Changing the format and
rate of the generator only requires connection of an SDI signal with the desired
characteristics. (A minimum required connection time helps to ensure that an accidental format/rate change won’t occur.)
However, there may be situations where
maintaining the format and rate of the
internally-generated signal is important.
To support this condition one configuration
choice allows the automatic format/rate
selection function to be disabled.
Installation
One subtle but important feature has
been included for situations where the
Model 5150’s output is used in on-air
broadcast applications. When a signal
is removed from the module’s SDI input,
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Integration of the Model 5150 into a selected application should prove quite simple,
only connecting SDI input and output
signals as well as DC power is required.
Video Generator
Model 5150
Module
Some applications will also require connection to the module’s data bus. The coaxial
(BNC) input and output connections are
compatible with most HD-SDI and 3G-SDI
signals. If the specific Model 5150 being
installed also includes optical support one
or two single-mode fiber interconnections
will be made. The fiber connections utilize
miniature LC plugs.
The DC power source is nominal 12 volts
with an acceptable range of 10 to 18 volts.
It’s possible that the module will be part of
a local RS-485 data bus that’s associated
with a Studio Technologies’ Model 5190
Remote Access Module. If so, two additional
wires are required to connect the module
to the data bus. After the connections have
been completed the module can then be
secured into the designated mounting
location.
Coaxial (BNC) SDI Output
The Model 5150 provides an SDI output
that utilizes a broadcast-standard BNC
socket. This output is referred to as the
coaxial (BNC) SDI output. Refer to Figure 2
for a detailed view of the connector’s location on the rear of the module. The coaxial
(BNC) output, depending on operating
conditions, will be either an SMPTE-compli
ant HD-SDI (1.485 Gb/s nominal) or 3GSDI (2.97 Gb/s nominal) signal. The exact
format/rate combinations supported by the
Model 5150 are listed in the Specifications
section of this guide.
Coaxial (BNC) SDI Input
An SDI source can be connected to the
Model 5150 by way of a broadcast-standard
BNC connector. This is referred to as the
coaxial (BNC) SDI input. Refer to Figure 2
for a detailed view of the connector’s
location on the rear of the module. The
coaxial (BNC) input is compatible with
SMPTE-compliant HD (1.485 Gb/s nominal) and 3G (2.97 Gb/s nominal) SDI
signals. It is not compatible with standard
definition SD-SDI (270 Mb/s nominal) signals. The exact format/rate combinations
supported by the Model 5150 are listed in
the Specifications section of this guide.
A configuration switch setting must be
made for the coaxial (BNC) SDI input to be
active. Refer to the Configuration section of
this guide for details.
Optical SDI Output
This section applies only when the specific
Model 5150 module being installed was
configured at the factory to provide an optical output. A video SFP (small form-factor
pluggable) optical module is used to provide the optical SDI output. A range of SFP
modules can be installed in the “cage” at
the back of the Model 5150. These include
transceiver modules that have both an
optical output (transmitter) and an optical input (receiver), as well as output-only
(transmitter) modules. The technical char
acteristics of the optical output will depend
on the specific module installed. The most
common transceiver or output-only SFP
module used in the Model 5150 will have
an FP (Fabry-Perot) laser emitting “light” at
a wavelength of 1310 nanometers. Other
modules can utilize a higher-performance
DFB (distributed feedback) laser that is
manufactured to produce light at one of
the 18 CWDM wavelengths. (For broadcast
applications, the common first-utilized
CWDM wavelengths are often 1490 and
1550 nanometers.)
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Video Generator Module
Model 5150
An LC plug terminated on a single-mode
optical fiber is used to mate with the SFP’s
optical output. When referenced to the
front of an SFP transceiver or output-only
SFP module the optical output is located
on the SFP module’s left side. To indicate
the optical output port a graphic arrow icon
pointing “out” may be present on the top of
the module. Refer to Figure 2 for a detailed
view. When terminating the LC plug with
the socket on the SFP module be certain
that the plastic plug’s locking tab is fully en
gaged into the slot of the SFP module. This
will help prevent the LC plug from becoming disconnected due to physical stress or
vibration on the fiber. Also ensure that the
end (“face”) of the plug’s ferrule has been
cleaned using appropriate methods.
Note that as of the time this user guide
was written the Model 5150 supports only
single-mode optical cable. Contact Studio
Technologies should support for multimode fiber be required.
The Model 5150 module should remain
without power whenever its optical output
has not been terminated. This ensures that
the optical energy will not project into free
space and possibly into the eyes of installation personnel. The optical output power
of video SFP modules selected by Studio
Technologies adheres to the class 1 laser
standard. As such, they do not emit sufficient power to be considered hazardous.
But best safety practices require that the
-
optical output port and all unconnected
fiber ends not be directly viewed.
No configuration switches or other settings are required to activate the optical
output. It is always active and will contain
the same SDI data as that found on the
coaxial (BNC) output. As such there is no
problem in simultaneously connecting to
both the optical and coaxial (BNC) outputs.
Figure 2. Detailed rear view of the Model 5150 Video Generator Module showing the MCU
and FPGA boards
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