Multipurpose modules of Synapse system

By George Sinelshchikov

Review contents:

Routing and Distribution Equipment Auxiliary routing units of “Profitt” Company Multipurpose modules of Synapse system New line of distribution amplifiers from Extron Electronics Auxiliary routing and distribution equipment Kramer Electronics Leitch distribution amplifiers Devices of Marshall Electronics Company Routing and distributive equipment of Netrwork Electronics Company New HDTV Patch panels from Oxygen DCT IQ series modules from Snell & Wilcox Redbox series audio distribution equipment of from Sonifex Company Modular units from Thomson Broadcast and Multimedia Solutions The distribution equipment of Vistek Company

During designing of even small TV studio infrastructure the system engineers often collide with necessity at the minimal volume of the equipment to receive the branched out circuits of signal transit both for intrastudio exchange and conversion, and for transfer and reception of signals over external lines. The decision for signal distribution networks of there are distribution amplifiers which are produced by the majority of manufacturers of the TV equipment in the form of separate units or modules, carrying out only single function of signal distribution.

Multifunctionality of Synapse modules of Axon Digital Design Company allows resolving problems of designing of the branched out infrastructure of broadcasting companies with minimum equipment.

Overwhelming majority of multipurpose modules of Synapse system as the standard block the built-in distribution amplifier with correction of the output signal, already passed some necessary conversions of a signal is provided with. As an example it is possible to present the ASV20module, being the universal frame synchronizer with analog composite or digital (SDI) input with function of embedding of audio data. This module provides four identical output SDI-signals, that is, as a matter of fact, it is provided with built-in distribution amplifier 1×4.

Besides the output distribution amplifier, many modules are included the distribution amplifiers of input signal. So, for example, SAS20 module representing block of rearrangement and processing of channels of audio signal introduced in SDI, besides four identical output signals is also provided with two outputs of recycled input SDI signals. The SAV10module, being by 10-bit coder, converting the SDI signal in composite signal PAL/NTSC, by frame synchronizer with demultiplexing function of embedded audio data, is provided with built-in four-channel distributors of input recycled digital video signals and output analog PAL or NTSC signals.

Block diagram of multipurpose ADC ASV20 with the built-in distribution amplifier

Thus, as a result of serial routing-on of SAS20 and SAV10 modules and introduction of SDI-signal on input of the first module it is possible at output to receive two original digital video signals, seven digital video signals with corrected and rearranged (if necessary) audio channels, and also four output PAL signals, the audio derived from SDI-stream and received by Synapse bus, can be converted by means of additionally installed modules of audio processing.

Block diagram of multipurpose DAC SAV10 with distribution amplifiers for input and output signals

Wide functionalities of Synapse modules provided also by including of built-in distribution amplifiers, in most cases allow to avoid the necessity of installation of the modules having function signal distribution only. It enables to reduce the expenses, to reduce number of intermodular connections, to reduce quantity of cables and to lower the system dimensions.

For transmission of source signal to wide range of users the dedicated modules of distribution amplifiers of signals are used. The assortment of such modules produced by Axon Company in the following table is given.

Modules of distribution amplifiers of Synapse system
Module type	Signal	Number of outputs	Additional features	Note
HDR07	HD-SDI	7	With regeneration	It is combined with SDI
HDR09	HD-SDI	2 channels with 3 outputs in each	With regeneration	It is combined with SDI
SDN08	SDI	8	Without regeneration
SDN09	SDI	2 channels: 1×3 and 1×4	Without regeneration
SDR07	SDI	3 channels on 2 outputs	With regeneration	It is combined with ASI/DVB
SDR08	SDI	8	With regeneration
SDR09	SDI	2 channels: 1×3 and 1×4	With regeneration
CDV08	Analog video	8	Adjustable gain, restriction, concordance of cables	Detecting of the input status
DAD08	AES/EBU	8	Compatibility on loadings 75 and 110 Ohm	Transformers at inputs and outputs
DAD09	AES/EBU	8	Compatibility on loadings 75 and 110 Ohm	Transformers at inputs
AAD08	Analog audio	2 channels with 8 outputs in each	Adjustable gain, detector of peak level and detector of silence	Transformers at inputs

All modules of distributors of digital video signal (SD and HD) are provided with built-in circuits of detecting of signal presence on each of inputs. At loss of stream carrier the module gives out a signal about loss of signal on concrete input and this information is transferred to all units of display of system status. Thus each input possesses by opportunity of automatic concordance with impedance of bringing cable that excludes the signal distortions.

HDR07 and HDR09 modules automatically define the signal presence of high or standard resolution and adjust the circuits of correction and routing in appropriate way.

For devices with regeneration of input signal both an automatic mode and fixed streams of reclocking with speeds 143, 177, 270, 360, 540 Mbit/s can be used.

CDV08 module is distribution amplifier with additional processing and correction of signal. This module can to communicate on input on direct or alternating current. In output signal the constant component, black level, the level of video signal can be restored. The built-in circuits of concordance can change the concordance level within the range 0…230%.

Block diagram of CDV08 distribution amplifier of analog video signal

All parameters can change automatically or manually on bus Synapse to which all modules of system are connected. There is an opportunity of change of parameters by means of the remote personal computer connected to cabinets over Ethernet. On this computer the software which is delivered by company Axon Digital Design is installed free of charge. Besides to operate modules it is possible by means of buttons on the front panel of each cabinet or by means of remote control panel SCP08.

Distribution amplifiers of digital audio signals DAD08 and DAD09 are provided by enough high performance data. These modules are provided by symmetric inputs with transformer uncoupling. DAD08 has eight symmetric outputs with transformer uncoupling, and DAD09 — eight direct symmetric outputs without transformers. Modules accept a digital audio signal AES/EBU or SPDIF, recycle it according to basic frequencies 24/32/44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz, keep in the buffer and further distribute the signal on output buffer amplifiers in which there is also an individual regeneration of preliminary coded AES/EBU signal.

Block diagram of AAD08 distribution amplifier of analog audio signal

Depending on panels of sockets used together with the module, it is possible to combine symmetric and not symmetric inputs and outputs of the module for the concordance with transmission lines existing in studio over coaxial (75 Ohm) or symmetric (110 Ohm, XLR) cable with corresponding signal level.

For distribution of analog audiosignals in Synapse system the scheme of the module of the two-channel distribution amplifier with eight mono outputs on each channel or, otherwise, one stereoinput on eight stereooutputs is chosen. Each input of the channel is provided with transformer uncoupling. In each channel it is possible to carry out independent adjustment of amplification for increase or reduction of signal level at the concordance with external paths. Independent installation of detecting peak levels and silence signal allows to operate by circuits of detecting and to form special signals which can be used by other modules of Synapse system. High-quality analog components applied in the module guarantee minimally possible losses under signal transmission through the module and preservation of the high value of signal/noise ratio.

Besides distribution amplifiers the structure of Synapse system includes modules of routing of backup and control. Module SDX08 is the switchboard of SDI-signal of 8×1 format. It can operate in two modes: emergency switchboard and matrix.

In a mode of emergency switchboard the module analyzes presence of errors in signal on the certain input (master channel). At presence of errors there is a routing on other input in nonsynchronous mode during 100 ms from the moment of error detecting. Function Switch-To allows automatically scan all inputs of the module and under error detection in input signals renominates backup input for emergency routing at occurrence of error in master channel. The choice of backup input can be also carried out compulsorily.

In matrix mode the routing can be carried out manually, and at presence of clock pulses on bus Synapse the synchronous or asynchronous mode of routing can be chosen.

For independent and completely automated mode of emergency routing in Synapse system there is PBS03 module. It is the videoswitchboard of SDI signal 2×2 with the built-in functions of check of signal integrity. The module constantly analyzes EDH status of signal for quality estimation of SDI stream. The decision on routing is accepted on the basis of quantity of TRS-symbols in the input stream, and also number of stop-frames appeared on input. There is also a possibility of routing over loss of the audio channel introduced in SDI-stream or detecting of silence signal.

Block diagram of PBS03 emergency router

The internal logic of the module continues the analysis of quality of the basic channel after routing on backup and in case of restoration of the basic signal can carry out return routing. Routing also can be carried out on GPI commands at certain external events.

Routing of the basic and backup videochannels is carried out on the basis of the relay, routing of backup four audio channels is carried out also by means of the relay for whole galvanic uncoupling of paths. The condition of each channel is reflected by change of the status of corresponding GPI-signals.

The material is provided by Axon Digital Design Company