SPG8000 System Firmware Release V1.1

This version of firmware supports the SPG8000 Master Sync / Clock Reference Generator. The SPG8000 is a precision multiformat video signal generator, suitable for master synchronization and reference applications. It provides multiple video reference signals, such as black burst, HD tri-level sync, and serial digital and composite analog test patterns, and it provides time reference signals such as time code and NTP (Network Time Protocol).

Version: V1.1
Software Type: Firmware

Release Date: Jan 11 2013 - 08:00 am
Part Number: 066146400

Pre-Requisites/System Requirements

Release Notes

Prerequisites

This version of firmware can be installed on any SPG8000 Master Sync / Clock Reference Generator

Release Notes

SPG8000
MASTER SYNC / CLOCK REFERENCE GENERATOR
Release Notes

Firmware Update 1.1
December 4, 2012

This document describes new features, improvements, and limitations
of firmware version 1.1 for the SPG8000 Master Sync / Clock Reference
Generator.

Product Features
----------------

The SPG8000 is a precision multiformat video signal generator
suitable for master synchronization and reference applications.
It provides miltiple video reference signals, such as black
burst, HD tri-level sync, and serial digital and composite analog
test patterns, and it provides time reference signals such as
time code and NTP (Network Time Protocol).

The base configuration includes three sync outputs that can be
configured with independent output formats (NTSC/PAL black burst
and/or HD tri-level sync) and independently adjustable timing
offsets.  With the BG option, four more analog outputs can be
added.  A high-accuracy, oven-controlled oscillator provides a
stable frequency reference for the system, or the pass-through
genlock input can be used to lock to an external video reference
or 10 MHz continuous wave signal.

The SPG8000 includes the following features:

- Multiple independent black burst and HD tri-level sync outputs
provide all the video reference signals required in a video
broadcast or production facility.

- Four LTC outputs, VITC on black burst outputs, and NTP server
provide time reference signals in a variety of formats.

- GPS-based synchronization gives an accurate time-of-day reference
and deterministic video phase reference, and locks remote
SPG8000 systems to each other.

- Stay-Genlock and GPS Holdover Recovery prevent synchronization
shock when the external reference input or GPS signal is
temporarily lost.

- Wide selection of video test patterns in serial digital formats
(SD, HD, and 3G-SDI) and composite analog formats (NTSC and PAL)

- Dual hot-swappable power supplies ensure continuous availability of
reference signals

- Easy to manage with Web-based interface for remote configuration
and SNMP for status and alert information

General Limitations
-------------------

This firmware release has the following general limitations.  Please
check the Tektronix Web site (www.tektronix.com/software/downloads)
for any firmware updates to the SPG8000 generator.

Firmware Upgrades:

- When the SPG8000 firmware is upgraded (using a USB drive or network
connection), all files created or installed by the user are
deleted.  The deleted files inlcude presets, signal files, frame
picture files, logo files, sequence files, and for Option SDI, can
also include text and font files.  The standard set of factory
installed signal files, logo files, and Option SDI font files is
restored when the firmware is upgraded.

To prevent the loss of your user created files, use the "Backup
All User Data to USB" function from the SYSTEM menu to save your
user files before you upgrade the firmware.  After the upgrade, use
the "Restore All User Data From USB" function from the SYSTEM menu
to restore your user created files.

- If you have loaded the SPG8000 memory with a large number of test
signals or frame picture files, you many not be able to upgrade the
instrument firmware because the memory is too full.  If you receive
a memory error while attempting to upgrade the firmware, you need
to delete some of the test signal or frame picture files and then
perform the upgrade.

Alert messages:

If there is an active alert condition (e.g., reference input missing)
while the STATUS : ALERT menu is displayed, the alert message(s) will
not automatically change if the alert condition is cleared.  To view
any changes to the alert messages, you must change to another menu
and then return to the STATUS : ALERT menu.

Resetting an output signal:

When the instrument rereads or resets signal data, such as format
changing, preset recall, or signal-button assignment, a signal output
interruption or sychronization shock may occur.

Incorrect CW reference signal:

If an NTSC or PAL signal is connected to the REF input when the
reference source is set to "CW", the video timing of all SPG8000
outputs will rattle every 1 - 2 seconds.  To resolve this problem,
use the REFERENCE : SOURCE menu to select the signal type that
matches the reference input signal.

Web interface performance with Internet Explorer 8:

Some performance issues have been observed when the SPG8000 Web
Interface is used with Internet Explorer 8.  Newer browsers such
as Internet Explorer 9, Mozilla Firefox, Safari or Google Chrome are
recommended.

Time of day changes for timecode outputs:

When the time-of-day changes, such as when schedule daylight
savings adjustments are made or when the internal time is set from
the front panel, there can be a delay before that changes is
reflected on timecode outputs.

This delay may be a small number of frames (fraction of a second)
when all timecode output formats are based on the same clock rate
(for example, NTSC black burst and 1080i 59.94 HD tri-level on
black outputs in addtion to 30 fps drop-frame on LTC outputs), or
up to several seconds when timecode formats based on different clock
rates are used (for example, 29.97 fps and 24 fps on different
outputs).

Daylight Savings Time (DST) scheduler system:

The DST scheduler system applies the DST offset even if the
Time-Of-Day (TOD) source is set to "VITC Input" or "LTC Input".
In both cases, the offset is applied whether or not a valid VITC
or LTC input signal is available.  For proper DST scheduling, you
need to manually enter the date and time in the TOD menu and
assure that the instrument has valid time information.

When the TOD source is set to "GPS signal" and the GPS is not
locked to the input signal, the DST scheduler system will apply
the DST offset when the internal time of day clock (which starts
at a fixed default and may not be correct) reaches the time
scheduled for the DST offset to be applied or removed.  Ensure
that the GPS is locked and that the system time of day is correct
before turning on the DST scheduler system.

If the TOD source is set to "Internal" when the instrument is
powered on, you will need to change the TOD source to "VITC Input",
"LTC Input", or "GPS Signal" and then back to "Internal" in order
to enable the DST scheduler system with "Internal" as the TOD
source.  Check the system time of day and adjust as needed to
ensure that it is correct before enabling the DST schedule in
"Internal" mode.

Option GPS

- Missing GPS signal:

When the reference source is set to "GPS Signal" but the external
GPS signal is missing, the SPG8000 automatically uses the internal
reference signal as the reference source.  However the front panel
INT indicator does not turn green to show that the internal
reference is being used.  the EXT indicator does correctly turn
red to indicate that the external (GPS) reference is missing.

Option SDI

SDI equalizer test signal:

- Per SMPTE RP198 for HD-SDI, a polarity change word is used to ensure
equal probabilities of the DC bias for the equalizer test pattern.
However, some 3G SDI formats still exhibit an unequal bias. Enabling
a dynamic bit stream in the output signal, such as embedded audio or
timecode data, will result in both DC levels appearing in the output
signal.

Test signal files:

- The Option SDI signals use file-based test signal definitions.
If you modify a signal from the factory version, unpredictable
results may occur.  To recover from this situation, reload the
factory version of the signal file from the "SPG8000 Product
Documentation CD."

Multi-language support:

- Languages that require combined glyphs in order to be represented
may not be correctly rendered in the Text ID display on SDI
signals.

Multiburst signal motion:

- Do not set a Multiburst signal in motion on the SDI signals.
Otherwise, a corrupted signal will be generated.

Overlay and zone plate circles not round:

- For SD 525 and 625 signal formats, the overlay and zone plate
circles are not perfectly round.

Bitmap files for logo overlays:

- When you create bitmap files for logo overlays, filter the
sharp edges within the logo image before you download the bitmap
file to the instrument.  The SPG8000 applies a filter to the
left and right edges of the bitmap image to reduce high-
frequency ringing on the signal waveform.  However the filter is
not applied within the span of the image.

By downloading, you agree to the terms and conditions of the Software Download Agreement.

This software applies to: SPG8000

SPG8000 System Firmware Release V1.1

Prerequisites

Release Notes

Related Product Information