SPG8000A Master Reference and Test Signal Generator

SPG8000A

Master Sync / Clock Reference Generator

The SPG8000A is a reliable, fully featured reference and test signal generator. It is the industry standard for supplying the reference timing and test signals needed in today’s complex broadcast facilities. The PTP option brings drop-down configuration support for ST 2059-2, AES67 and, AVB profiles to build your IP or Hybrid SDI network. Put a reliable and proven solution in charge of your operation’s infrastructure.

Reliable

 
The SPG8000A supplies the reliability needed in modern facility timing systems by shipping standard with hot swappable dual power supplies The SPG8000A is designed to run as a standalone master or under an external reference input, locking to black-burst, tri-level sync, GPS or PTP.

When reliability is critical and you need a backup master reference, the ECO8000 auto changeover unit complements the SPG8000A. It is user configurable to monitor and changeover analog video, SDI video, timecode and AES/EBU digital audio signals. Quickly setup your PTP network and avoid downtime using pre-loaded ST2059-2 and AES67 profiles for reliable synchronization and an unshakable master reference.
 

Future Proof

 
Build synchronized IP media networks using the PTP software upgrade option. It provides 2 PTP engines with rock solid ST 2110 and AES67 network references, full compliance to IEEE1588 and support for GPS reference.

Bridge your SDI equipment to IP with PTP Follower providing analog and digital references locked to your network timing.

Invest in a complete master reference platform loaded with UHD (SQD), GPS, NTP, AES. Activate PTP when you need it through simple software licensing.
 

Flexible

 
Control your SPG8000A directly using the front control panel or remotely with a built-in WebUI.

Design the system you need using PTP (Precision Time Protocol), NTP (Network Time Protocol), GPS time synchronization, and UHD Quad link outputs. Generate all the required reference timing signals needed to precisely time complex broadcast facilities, including: PTP Grandmaster and Follower, Black Burst, Tri-Level Sync, Word Clock, and DARS. The SPG8000A also provides timecode generation delivered through dedicated LTC outputs or embedded VITC through analog and ATC on SDI video outputs.
 

Design and Deploy

 
Verify the signal chain and remote links using 2 independent 3G-SDI pattern generators, each providing pattern with text and logo overlay. Each output is embedded with user selectable test tones and ATC. SDI pattern generators also produce quad-link UHD patterns in Quad-Division multiplex format.

  • 5 Independent Black-Burst / Tri-level Sync Reference Outputs
  • Comprehensive sync source inputs
    1. Genlock to Black-Burst, Tri-Level Sync, GPS or PTP
    2. Time sync to NTP, PTP, VITC or LTC
  • 2 3G/ HD/ SD SDI Test Pattern Outputs
    1. Text and logo idents overlay
    2. Embedded audio test tones
    3. Embedded Dolby®-E with metadata
    4. Ancillary payload insertion
    5. ATC timecode insertion
    6. UHD support – Square Division (SQD)
  • Composite analog video test and black outputs
  • 4 AES digital audio outputs (8 channels)
  • DARS (Digital Audio Reference) output
  • Word clock output
  • Dual PTP engines (option)
    1. Engine 1: PTP grandmaster or follower
    2. Engine 2: PTP grandmaster
    3. Dual dedicated PTP GbE ports (copper and fiber)
    4. IEEE1588 compliant with built-in ST2059-2, AES67, General, and AVB profiles
  • LTC input and outputs
  • NTP client and server
  • IP-based control and monitoring via Web UI
  • One year warranty; extended warranty available
Input specifications

 
All specifications apply to all SPG8000A configurations unless noted otherwise.

Reference input
Connector BNC ×2, passive loop-through
Input impedance 75 Ω

Input signal
NTSC/PAL black burst
HD tri-level sync 
1080/60/59.94/50I
1080/30/29.97/25/24/23.98P
1080/24/23.98PsF
720/60/59.94/50P
10 MHz continuous wave
Lock stability

±3 dB amplitude change
Jitter with burst lock
Jitter with sync lock
Jitter with CW lock
<1 ns
<0.5°
<1 ns
<1 ns (typ. 1°)

Genlock
Timing adjustment range Anywhere in the color frame
Color framing Keeps accuracy even with ±45° SCH error of input reference signal

GPS / GLONASS receiver
Type L1 frequency (GPS – 1575.42 MHz, GLONASS – 1602.00 MHz), C/A Code, 32 channels
Time accuracy Within 150 ns to GPS/GLONASS/UTC
Acquisition time 2 minutes on boot up with warm oven, good satellite signal, and known position

GPS / GLONASS antenna input
Connector BNC
Input impedance 50 Ω, internally terminated
DC antenna power output voltage 3.3 V or 5 V at 55 mA

LTC input
Connector Available through D-sub 15-pin connector; Optional break-out cable to XLR connector available
Formats 24 fps (24 Hz or 23.98 Hz), 25 fps, 30 fps, 30 fps drop-frame (29.97 Hz) per SMPTE 12M

Output specification

 
Reference outputs
Number of outputs 3 analog sync outputs in base configuration, up to 7 with Option BG
Connector BNC ×3-7
Formats NTSC/PAL black burst, HD tri-level sync, 10 MHz continuous wave, or 1 pps

Format Combinations
NTSC/PAL black burst 
Available on all outputs (BLACK 1-5 and CMPST 1-2)
HD tri-level sync Black outputs 1-3 can independently produce any of the formats from the following rate groups:
– Integer: 720 (50p, 60p), 1080 (24sF, 24p, 25p, 30p, 48p, 50i, 50p, 60i, 60p)
– Non-integer: 720 (59.94p), 1080 (23.98sF, 23.98p, 29.97p, 47.95p, 59.94i, 59.94p)
Black outputs 4-5 can independently produce any of the formats from the following rate groups:
– Integer: 720 (50p, 60p), 1080 (24sF, 24p, 25p, 30p, 50i, 60i)
– Non-integer: 720 (59.94p), 1080 (23.98sF, 23.98p, 29.97p, 59.94i)
10 MHz CW BLACK 3 output only
1 pps Black outputs 1-3 only

Black burst mode for reference sync outputs
Standards SMPTE 170M, ITU-R BT.1700-1, EBU N14, SMPTE RP154, RP318M-B
Formats NTSC-M (7.5 IRE black), NTSC-J (0 IRE black), PAL-B

Time Code Optional VITC insertion
Line One or two lines, user selectable
Source Time-of-day with adjustable offset, or program (elapsed) time counter

Timing adjustment Independent per output

HD tri-level mode for reference sync outputs
Standards SMPTE 240M, 274M, 296M, RP211
Formats 1080/60/59.94/50I
Black 1-3 outputs: 1080/60/59.94/50/48/47.95/30/29.97/25/24/23.98P
Black 4-5 outputs: 1080/30/29.97/25/24/23.98P
1080/24/23.98PsF
720/60/59.94/50P
Timing adjustment Independent per output

LTC outputs

Number of outputs 3 or 4 (LTC1 is selectable as input or output)
Connector Available through D-sub 15-pin connector; Optional break-out cable to XLR connectors available
Formats 24 fps (24 Hz or 23.98 Hz), 25 fps, 30 fps, 30 fps drop-frame (29.97 Hz) per SMPTE 12M
Source Time-of-day with adjustable offset, or program (elapsed) time counter

Word clock output
Connector BNC ×1
Output level 5 V DC (CMOS compatible) or 1 V AC into 75 Ω (AES level)
Frequency 48 kHz

Serial digital test signal outputs (Option SDI)
Number of outputs 2 independent test pattern generators with 2 outputs each
Video signal Test pattern on both outputs or test pattern on one output and digital black on the secondoutput
Connector BNC ×4

Standard Definition (SD) formats
Standards SMPTE 259M, 272M, 291M
Bit rate 270 Mb/s
Formats 720×486/59.94/I (525 lines)
720×576/50/I (625 lines)

High Definition (HD) formats
Standards SMPTE 274M, 291M, 292M, 296M
Bit rate 1.485 Gb/s and 1.485/1.001 Gb/s
Formats 1280×720/60/59.94/50/30/29.97/25/24/23.98P
1920×1080/60/59.94/50I
1920×1080/30/29.97/25/24/23.98P
1920×1080/30/29.97/25/24/23.98PsF

3 Gb/s formats
Standards SMPTE 291M, 424M, 425-1
Bit rate 2.97 Gb/s and 2.97/1.001 Gb/s
Alpha channel Same as Y/G channel or flat field (0% to 100% in 10% steps)

4K/UHD outputs
Output mode Quad Link Square Division
Standards All supported 3G/HD-SDI standards
Formats All supported 2048×1080 and 1920×1080 3G/HD-SDI formats

Option PTP specifications

 
All specifications apply to all SPG8000A configurations which have Option PTP installed.

Connectors

Internet protocol version IPv4
Profiles supported ST 2059-2, AES67, General, AVB
Operating modes In Internal, GPS or Genlock reference modes, user may select one or two PTP masters. If locked to PTP input, then user may enable one PTP master.

Physical characteristics
Dimensions
Height 
44 mm (1.7 in.)
Width 483 mm (19 in.)
Depth 559 mm (21.5 in.)
Weight (net) 4.85 kg (10.7 lb.)

Environmental
Power consumption 130 VA (max) on active power supply input
130 VA on backup supply input during 5 s daily load test
Temperature 0 to +50 °C
Source voltage 100 to 240 VAC ±10%, 50/60 Hz

Ordering Code Included Sub-Feature Description
SPG8000A-ADV SPG8000A Master Sync / Clock Reference Generator base unit – loop through genlock, 3 analog black burst or HD tri-level sync outputs, 4 LTC Out or 3 LTC Out & 1 LTC In, word clock output, GPI, Web UI, SNMP support
SPG8000A AG DARS output, four AES/EBU test signal outputs (8 ch)
SPG8000A BG Two analog black burst or tri-level sync outputs, two additional analog black burst or composite analog test signal outputs
SPG8000A DPW Second, hot-swappable, redundant (backup) power supply
SPG8000A GPS GPS/GLONASS master clock synchronization capability with integrated receiver, NTP server support
SPG8000A RACK Rackmount slides and rails kit (1 RU height, standard full depth)
SPG8000A SDI Two independent sets of 3G/HD/SD SDI test and test/black signal generation outputs, embedded Dolby E audio test signal
SPG8000A-PTP PTP (IEEE 1588) support (software option upgrade)
SPG8000A-ANT GPS rooftop antenna (5.0 VDC, 1575 MHz range signals, F connector) that works with the integrated GPS receiver of the SPG8000A-ADV
SPG8000A-PS Hot-swappable, redundant (backup) power supply for the SPG8000A-ADV
SPG8000A-LX Gigabit Ethernet optical SFP module, 1310nm, single-mode, LC connector
SPG8000A-SX Gigabit Ethernet optical SFP module, 850nm, multi-mode, LC connector
SPG8000A-XLR Adapter cable (6 feet) from 15-pin D-sub GPI/LTC connector on the SPG8000A-ADV to 4 XLR male connectors for LTC input/outputs and 3 BNC male connectors for General Purpose input/outputs

Downloads

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