TG8000 Firmware Upgrade

This version of firmware supports the TG8000 Multiformat Test Signal Generator. The TG8000 is the successor to the TG700 TV Test Signal Generator Platform. Each of the modules that was designed to operate on the TG700 mainframe will also operate in the new TG8000 mainframe.

Version: V1.0
Software Type: Firmware

Release Date: Jul 30 2012 - 07:00 am
Part Number: 066140600

Pre-Requisites/System Requirements

Release Notes

Prerequisites

This version of firmware can be installed on any TG8000 Multiformat Test Signal Generator.

Release Notes

TG8000
MULTIFORMAT TEST SIGNAL GENERATOR
Release Notes

Firmware Update 1.0
May 17.2012

This document describes new features, improvements, and limitations
of firmware version 1.0 for the TG8000 Multiformat Test Signal
Generator.

New Features
------------

The TG8000 is a multiformat test signal generator supporting both
analog and digital video standards.  The TG8000 consists of a
mainframe and up to four plug-in modules.  The modules are either
signal generators or they provide special functions, such as genlock
capability.

The TG8000 is the successor to the TG700 TV Test Signal Generator
Platform.  Each of the modules that was designed to operate in the
TG700 mainframe will also operate in the new TG8000 mainframe.

The TG8000 includes the following new features:

- Improved time-base stability

- No restrictions on the maximum number of high-power modules that
can be installed

- Front panel USB support for upgrading the instrument firmware and
backing up or restoring user data such as test signal files, logo
files, and preset files

- Support for HD formats at both integer and non-integer frame rates
on a per-module basis; for example, a GPS7 module in slot 1 can
generate a 1080 59.94i tri-level sync signal, and a BG7 modules in
slot 2 can generate a 1080 24p tri-level sync signal at the same
time

- Faster rendering and loading of test signals, frame pictures, and
overlays

- 10/100/1000 BASE-T Ethernet port

- Dedicated General Purpose Interface (GPI) port

- 128 MB flash memory

GENERAL LIMITATIONS
-------------------

This firmware release has the following general limitations.  Please check
the Tektronix Web site (www.tek.com/software/downloads) for any
firmware updates to the TG8000 generator.

TG Setup Software:

In setting signal formats for the Black 2 and Black 3 outputs of the
AGL7 module, do not select Black 2 = HD sync (same as Black 3) and
Black 3 = BB (same as Black 2) simultaneously, while Frame Reset 1
is set to 2.997 Hz. This operation makes the Frame Reset 1 unstable.
If this is the case, reset the system by recalling the Power On
Default setting or a preset.

USB Port:

- When you mount a USB drive, the SDI output from an HDVG7 module
may briefly unlock.  This problem occurs only on HDVG7 modules with
serial numbers B013412 or earlier, or HDVG7 modules with a serial
number that begins with the letter 'J'.  The SDI outputs from DVG7
HD3G7, and SDI7 modules are not affecting by the mounting of a USB
drive.

- The TGSetup application cannot be used for remote configuration
while files are being restored from a USB drive.  Wait until the
restore operation is complete before opening the TGSetup application
and connecting to the TG8000 generator.

Firmware upgrades:

- When the TG8000 firmware is upgraded (using a USB drive or a network
connection), all files created or installed by the user are deleted.
The deleted files include presets, signal files, logo files,
sequence files, and for the SDI7 module, can also include text and
font files.  The standard set of factory installed signal files,
logo files, and SDI7 module font files are 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 UTILITY menu to save your
user files before you upgrade the firmware.  After the upgrade, use
use the "Restore All User Data From USB" function from the UTILITY
menu to restore your user created files.

- If you have loaded the TG8000 memory with a large number of test
signals or frame picture files, you may 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
version, you need to delete some of the text signal or frame
picture files and then perform the upgrade.

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 synchronization shock may occur.

Changing output formats with open menus:

Some front-panel menus and status displays are dependent on the
frame rate of the currently selected output format.  If you open
a submenu and press the FORMAT button to change the frame rate, the
submenu will not be refreshed until it is exited and reopened.

Setting the Genlock Source:

If you change the frame reset period in the AGL7 module after the
genlock source is set to CW, the frame reset may not be selected
properly. If this is the case, set the frame reset to CW.

Assigning a Signal and Frame Picture to a Front-Panel Button:

- When you assign a downloaded signal to a front-panel button, do not
assign different format signals to the same button.

- Do not assign a signal set to a signal button of the signal that is
currently being output. Also, do not assign a signal set to a signal
button while the message "No Signal Set Assigned" is displayed. If
you reassign a signal set to the OTHER button, perform the
reassignment while a signal that is assigned to a button other than
the OTHER button is output.

Multiple Timecode Formats:

Frequent changes to output formats can result in instability on
those outputs. Disturbances to PAL output signals can be prevented
by setting any output to PAL as a power-on preset, and then keeping
any output set to PAL at all times.

Time of Day Changes For Timecode Outputs:

When the time-of-day changes, such as when scheduled daylight
savings adjustments are made or when the internal time is set from
the front panel, there can be a delay before that change 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 addition 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.

Failure to boot-up with an AG7 Module Installed:

When an AG7 module is installed in the TG8000 generator, the
boot-up process may not complete when other modules are installed
in specific slot locations.  Installing the AG7 module in slots
1 or 2 may fix this issue.

Timing Range of AGL7 Module

The TIMING menu for the AGL7 module will allow output timing
adjustment beyond +/- 1/2 frame of the current format.

Embedded Audio of the HDVG7 Module:

- Embedded audio for 720 23.98p/24p formats is not supported for the
HDVG7 module, even though it can be selected in the menus.

- The first user data word in the audio control packet (containing the
Audio Frame value) has incorrect parity when the frame count is 1,
2, or 4.

Y-to-GBR Converter Mode of the HDLG7 Module:

If the output format is 2K and the Converter mode is set to Y to
GBR, changing operating mode by selecting a test signal will cause
an unexpected black and white signal to be generated. To correct the
test signal, press the OTHER button until Normal is selected, and
then press the test signal button.

25/29.97/30 Hz Segmented Frame Formats for the HDLG7 Module:

The HDLG7 module does not have format selections for 1080PsF at
25 Hz, 29.97 Hz, or 30 Hz. These formats are almost identical to
1080i (interlaced) formats at 50 Hz, 59.94 Hz, and 60 Hz
respectively; these format settings can be used with progressive
segmented signals. However, note that the SMPTE 352M payload
identifier for the output signal will show an interlaced signal
format, even when the HDLG7 module is converting a single link
progressive segmented input signal to dual link.

Converter Mode of the HD3G7 Module:

- Infrequently, the module will fail to up-convert the input HD-SDI
signal.  If no output is seen, the problem can be corrected by
selecting a different test signal then switching back to converter
mode.

- The trigger output cannot generate a frame pulse or a line pulse
when the module is in converter mode.

- The moving picture and video component functions do not apply to up-
converted output signals.

- When a Level B format is selected for the up-converted 3 Gb/s
output signal, embedded audio from the input HD-SDI signal will
be copied onto both virtual links.  Therefore, up to 32 channels
of embedded audio can appear on the 3 Gb/s output.

- The HD3G7 module does not reformat SMPTE 334 Caption Distribution
Packets in converter mode.  Therefore, when up-converting from
1080i 59.94 Hz to 1080p 59.94 Hz, for example, the output will
contain CDP data in alternate frames, each with 40 bytes of
caption data, instead of CDP data in every frame, each with 20
bytes of caption data.

- Up-conversion to Level B fast progressive formats may result
in mis-ordering Caption Distribution Packets in the stream of
output frames.

SDI Equalizer Test Signal of the HD3G7 and SDI7 Modules:

- 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 of the HD3G7 and SDI7 Modules:

- The HD3G7 and SDI7 modules 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 "TG8000 Software
Library and Documentation DVD" that was supplied with the
instrument.

SDI7 Multi-language Support:

- Languages that require combined glyphs in order to be represented
may not be correctly rendered in the Text ID display on the
SDI7 module.

Multiburst Signal Motion on the SDI7 Module:

- Do not set a Multiburst signal in motion on the SDI7 module.
Otherwise, a corrupted signal will be generated.

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

This software applies to: TG8000

TG8000 Firmware Upgrade

Prerequisites

Release Notes

Related Product Information