A2B Electronics ECX-200 User manual

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INSTALLATION
GUIDE
ECX-200
DVB-C Cable Processor
design for TV
English

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Contents
1. Introduction
2. Unpacking the unit
3. Connections and indications
4. Settings
5. About remultiplexing
6. Installation
7. Technical specification
8. Declaration of conformity
9. Glossary
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1. Introduction
Thank you for purchasing an A2B Electronics product. The ECX-200 is
a revolutionary solution for reception and modification of QAM
transmitted TV-content into various transmission formats for cable-
TV and SMATV.
The ECX-200 is delivered with hardware and software that supports
DVB-T reception, MPEG2/MPEG4 H.264 AVC, ASI output, VSB RF
modulation with NICAM audio, IP control and management. All
hardware needed for upgrade with software options is available from
the start. See section 7 for more information.
ECX-200 can be upgraded for enhanced functionality and various
formats for transmission and processing of digital-TV content by
upgrade of its firmware. Software options will be available from A2B
Electronics, please ask us for the specifications and complete price
list of all options.
A2B Electronics AB
Phone: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
Also visit our web site www.a2b.se for further support.
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Following components are included in the package:
Amount Description
1 ECX-200 Cable Processor
1 Installation guide
2 Front panel screws
Every unit is quality controlled by us before delivery. Should any
items be missing when unpacking please contact our support
service (see page 3 for contact info).
English
2. Unpacking the unit
Important information about power
supply to ECX-200
To avoid problems with ECX-200
and/or EPP-100 it is very important
that both DC plugs on the EXM
power cord are inserted into the
EPP-100, i.e. each EXM unit needs
to be fed from two DC outputs at
the rear end of EPP-100.
(See picture to the right).

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Common Interface Insert your Common Interface Conditional
Access module into this slot
Power on indicator Green light indicates that power is on.
Rx error Red light indicates that the receiver is not
locked to the QAM transmission.
Access/Tx error Red light indicates that the smart card is not
authorised or analogue output signal is
missing.
Ethernet port Ethernet for connection to a PC or handheld
device with web browser
Antenna in Connect your outdoor aerial to this input.
RF out Connection to Cable TV or SMATV network.
English
Ethernet port (RJ
45) for control and
settings
Access/Tx error
indicator
Cable
in
RF out
ASI out
QAM Rx error
indicator
Power on indicator
Front panel view of
ECX-200
ASI in
DC in
Rear panel view of
ECX-200
3. Connections and indications
Common Interface slot
A/V out

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A/V out *) Connection for monitoring or to an RF
modulator.
ASI in *) Input for ASI (Asynchronous Serial Interface)
for high speed transport stream reception.
ASI out Output for ASI (Asynchronous Serial Interface)
for high speed transport stream transmission.
DC in Connect a DC voltage to this input (6-10V).
*) Optional function
NOTE! We recommend to use only A2B original power supply
for correct functionality and life cycle. Warranty will be void in
case of damages caused by power supplies not supplied by A2B.
English
3. Connections and indications (continued)
ECX-200 has an embedded
web server allowing standard
web browsers
(Internet Explorer, Firefox,
Opera etc.) to connect to the
unit for settings and
management.
No controller software is
needed. The ECX-200 has by
default a static IP address for
connecting your PC to the unit.
The ECX-200 is delivered with
IP address: 192.168.0.20. First
time installation requires that
you set a static IP address on
your computer. For example set
your PC to IP address:
192.168.0.19 and Net mask:
255.255.255.0
4. Settings

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4.1 TCP/IP settings for Windows XP (setting your PC to
192.168.0.19)
Click ”Start”, select ”Control panel” and select ”Network connections”
and then select “Network and Internet settings”.”Right click” on
[Settings for local network] and select [Properties].
4. Settings (continued)
In Properties click [Internet protocol
(TCP/IP)] and select [Properties].
Select [Use this IP adress] and
write: 192.168.0.19 and select
[Net mask] 255.255.255.0. Click
[OK] and then click [Close].
NOTE! For PC with other
Operating Systems (OS) than
Windows, please consult the
Owners manual for your PC for
[IP/Network settings].
4.2 Connecting your PC to ECX-200
Connect the ECX-200 to a DC power supply (EPP-100).
See section 6 for installation.
Next connect your PC to the ECX-200 with a network cable.
Start your web browser (IE, Firefox, Opera etc.) and write the
IP address 192.168.0.20 in the address field in your browser.
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4.3 EXM Web Control
Interface
4.3.1 System menu
The following [System]
menu should appear when
you connect to the ECX-200.
The [System] menu
contains basic information
about current settings and
entitlements.
Menu buttons for [Input],
[Output], [IPTV],[Service
management], [CI] and
[Upload] are available in
top of the menu.
4.3.2 IP address settings
The ECX-200 is set to an default IP address from factory (192.168.0.20 ).
However, it is possible to change the IP address and/or the Netmask
and/or the Gateway. This is an important function when you install two or
more EXM units in a Head End and want to connect all units together
through a switch or a router.
4. Settings (continued)
Current settings
Contains information of current input and output signals, if the tuner is
locked to a signal, serial number and firmware revision.
Entitlements
Entitlements are software options that are available in this unit (e.g. output
signal format, input signal entitlements etc.)
System options
This menu contains current IP address for the ECX-200.
[Reset unit] gives a possibility to restart the unit at any time.
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IP address settings
(continued)
Setting new static IP
address in the ECX-200
Connect your PC to each
EXM unit after that you have
done all other settings in the
units and change to a
specific IP address for every
unit.
A recommendation is to use
from 192.168.0.21 and
higher.
NOTE! Almost every switch/router
use 192.168.0.1 as default IP
address so make sure you don’t
use the same IP address in any
ECX-200 unit.
To continue installation press [Input]
4.3.3 Input settings
Select Baudrate, Constellation
and the channel number
according to CCIR or enter
the correct frequency (in
MHz). Press [Set] to enter the
frequency to the ECX-200.
A list of the available services
from the multiplex you tuned
to, will be shown on the right
hand side and also available
services via the ASI input.
Below [Tuner settings]
information of the received
signal is displayed.
4. Settings (continued)
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4.3.4 Output settings
ASI
The output selection ASI disables all
RF modulation on the outputs and all
selected services will be transmitted
only through the ASI output
connector. ASI is a high speed
interface for digital TV transport
streams. Use this output mode if you
run IPTV out.
Under [ASI options] you can select
the output bitrate which is the same
bitrate as for IPTV out.
Analogue
The selection [Analogue] is set as
factory default as RF output .
You can select output [Channel
name] (E2 to E69) or [Frequency]
within steps of 1 kHz (for example
306,167 MHz). Country specific
settings can be done by selecting
[Country]. By selecting a specific
country, transmission standard and
languages are automatically preset.
[Audio language] gives you the
choosen language if there is more
than one language ín the received
signal. [Audiolevel] can be adjusted
between 0 to -12 dB.
Subtitling type, subtitle priority and
subtitle charset can be selected as
well as Subtitle conversion and
Subtitle WSS.
We suggest that you consult your service provider for correct
parameters for each multiplex you want to receive.
Click [Output] to continue with the output settings.
4. Settings (continued)
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4.3.5 OUTPUT settings
(continued)
It is possible to select scaling of
the picture format to fit with
connected TV-sets. This is handled
in the [Video conversion] drop
down list where it’s possible to
choose between the different
types. [Video WSS] (Wide Screen
Signalling) is available in the video
for signalling the aspect ratio to be
displayed by the TV sets.
[Bitrate] can be set and this gives
you what the bitrate will be at the
ASI output.
NOTE! Refer to the table in page
16 about correct values.
[Attenuation] can be choosed
between 0 to -31 dB
The [Frequency] can be set in
steps of 1kHz (e.g. 306.167 MHz)
in all three output modes
(Analogue, COFDM or QAM). Click
[Set] to save all settings.
COFDM
For [COFDM] (DVB-T) output you
can select Output channel (E2 to
E69) or Frequency and Output
signal attenuation (0 to -31dB).
You can also select bandwidth (6,7
or 8 MHz). The maximum output
TS bit rate in COFDM is 31,67
Mbps.
Note! Some of the choices may
need optional software to be
uploaded before they can be
selected.
4. Settings (continued)
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QAM
When selecting [QAM] DVB-C
output, there are settings for Output
channel (E2 to E69) or Frequency,
QAM-mode (16, 32, 64, 128 or
256QAM), Baud rate (kHz) and
Output signal attenuation (0 to -
31dB).
Click [Service management] to
select service(s) and/or create new
multiplexes.
4. Settings (continued)
4.3.5 Service Management
The Service management menu
gives an overview of available
services from antenna input or the
ASI input (if enabled).
Remultiplexing (remuxing) is
possible after downloading a
appropriate SW option. To build
your own MUX you combine
several incoming services. These
can be received either from the
tuner or from the ASI in. Under the
[Digital output] section in this
meny you can see the actual
“Outgoing data rate”. This helps
you to avoid overload for the
output (see section 5 for
information).
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The ASI output contains the services you have selected for [Digital
output].
For decryption you mark the service by a click on the service name line
and by clicking on “Enable” under the [Decryption] headline.
Note! To decrypt more than one service requires a multidecryption CA
module and a smartcard that is activated for more than one service. Some
smartcards can handle two or three services at a time. Please, refer to
your smartcard service provider for further information.
Click the “Network settings” and select “Network ID” and “Transport ID”. If
a choice is made you have to click on [Save] to store the ID:s. The DVB
standard recommends following Network ID ranges:
DVB-S: 0 to 8191 (0 should be avoided)
DVB-T: 8193 to 13568 (Boxer in Sweden use 8945)
DVB-C: 40961 to 65281 (ComHem in Sweden 41001 and up)
The ECX-200 is designed to perform remultiplexing fully automatically of
both audio and video streams as well as full remultiplexing and
regeneration of PSI/SI data.
The advantage for you as a user is much lower risk of failure and the
process is much less time consuming.
In the menu to the right a list of
all services the unit receives,
both from the [Tuner input]
and from the [ASI input].
To select the service or services
you want at the [Digital
output] mark a service by
clicking the line where the
service is presented and than
click the “Set digital” button.
Now an “X” should appear in the
“Dig” column. Do the same to
choose a service as “Analogue
out”. Make your choice of which
services you want to select as
outputs and you will see the
selected service(s) in the
[Digital output] list in the
menu.
4. Settings (continued)
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4.3.6 Upload
Update of the ECX-200
firmware or upload of
enhanced functionality is done
via the Upload menu.
Select [Browse] and search
for the correct file on your
computer. When the file is
selected press [Upload] and
the file is uploaded into the
ECX-200. A power reset will
always ensure that the ECX-
200 reboots with the uploaded
software.
Please refer to the installation
information for each specific
SW.
4.3.5 Service management
(continued)
For setting the LCN (Logical
Channel Number) you click
on the [+] sign under the
column named [Options]. In
the box under the label
[Logical channel number]
you write the number you
want for the service you have
choosed and click on the
[Set] button.
Note! LCN is not supported
in all DVB receivers i.e. refer
to your manufacturer for
specification for the DVB
receivers in your cable TV
network.
4. Settings (continued)
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4.2.6 IPTV settings
This menu allows for settings
required to transmit a digital-
TV transport stream as IPTV.
IPTV output is optional and
can be ordered separately.
Note! To avoid overload it’s not recommended to run other RF
output at the same time i.e. choose ASI as Output. The choosen
bitrate will be the same on the ASI output
For IPTV out you have to set [UDP/RTP] values for Port and Address.
For example: IP address 239.192.0.10 and Port 1234. In the box named
”Bitrate” you can choose what bitrate you want on the IPTV TS out and
the maximum value is 55Mb/s. Click [Set bitrate] to save settings.
Click on [Start] to get the IPTV stream on the output (RJ 45 connector).
To check the IPTV out signal you can use a player like VLC Player. We
recommend that you visit our website www.a2b.se for updated info
about this function.
4. Settings (continued)
4.2.7 CI and Smart card
information
This menu allows you to view
information about your CA
System and current subscriptions.
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English
16
To be sure that you don’t exceed maximum bit rate for an output
MUX, please control that you don’t select to many services.
The website: http://www.satcodx.com/eng/ lists bit rates for satellite
services.
The services are named TS and marked red and by clicking on one
service you can get both average and peak values. It is
recommended to select the peak value when planning a new MUX.
The table below gives max bit rates for COFDM and QAM out from
ECX-200.
NOTE! Due to bit rate fluctuations from statistical multiplexing, we
recommend that you only use 85% of the maximum available bit
rate
Output signal Modulation Baudrate/BW Max bitrate (Mb/s) 85%
COFDM 64QAM 8 MHz 31,67 26,92
COFDM 64QAM 7 MHz 27,71 23,55
COFDM 64QAM 6 MHz 23,75 20,19
QAM 16QAM 6.875 Mbaud/s 25,34 21,54
QAM 32QAM 6,875 Mbaud/s 31,68 26,93
QAM 64QAM 6.875 Mbaud/s 38,01 32,31
QAM 128QAM 6.875 Mbaud/s 44,35 37,70
QAM 256QAM 6.875 Mbaud/s 50,69 43,08
5. About remultiplexing
Table 1. Max bit ratesforCOFDMandQAM.
The formula for calculating QAM output bitrate is: [ Baudrate x
”A”/(204/188) ]where ”A” is 4 for 16QAM, 5 for 32QAM, 6 for
64QAM, 7 for 128QAM and 8 for 256QAM mode.

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Before connecting power to the ECX-200, make sure that all other
connections have been made.
A coaxial cable of good quality with a F-connector should be connected
from the aerial to the Antenna input and another one from the RF output
to the cable TV network.
Connect a power supply and make all necessary settings as described in
section 4.
Note! Important information in page 4 about connecting the DC cable.
EPP-100 power
supply100W,
11 outputs
DC-cable for
ECX-200
Installation in a base unit with 5 EXM
modules and common power supply.
Accessories
EBU-100 Base unit
for 5 ECX-200 modules
and power supply
6. Installation
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6.1.2 Installation of 3 pcs of ECX-200 and one QAM mux out.
6.1 Installation examples
6.1.1 Installation of 3 pcs of ECX-200 and one COFDM mux out.
NOTE! Unit #2 and unit #3 has SW option for enhanced functionality
with ASI in and COFDM out. VSB RF is default modulation format.
NOTE! Unit #2 and unit #3 has SW option for added functionality as
ASI in and QAM out. VSB RF is default modulation format.
ECX-200 #1 ECX-200 #2 ECX-200 #3
ASI ASI
VSB RF
out
VSB RF
out
COFDM
out
ECX-200 #1 ECX-200 #2 ECX-200 #3
VSB RF
out
VSB RF
out
QAM
out
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ASI ASI

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6.1.3 Installation of ECX-200 units through a switch with DHCP
with possibility for remote management over VPN connection
between office and Head end.
NOTE! If you have questions about how to set up the VPN connection ask your
network administrator for detailed information.
ECX-200 connected through
a switch with DHCP
VPN connection
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ECX-200 DVB-C Cable processor
This specification may change without prior notice.
Miscellaneous
Power supply 7,5 VDC nom. (6-10 VDC)
Power consumption Typ. 15 W
Dimensions 165x105x37 mm (ex. connectors)
Weight Approx. 390 g
Controller Embedded web server
Operating temperature -20 to +50˚C, non condensing
Connectors and Interfaces
Control and IP out connector RJ-45, 10/100 BaseT
RF input connector F female, 75 Ω
RF output connector F female, 75 Ω
ASI input connector BNC female, 75 Ω
ASI output connector BNC female, 75 Ω
CAM connector PCMCIA (5 VDC)
LED Indicator lights Power on, QAM/Rx error,
Tx/Access error
Remote management RJ-45, 10/100 BaseT
A/V out connector 3,5 mm 4 pole
QAM Cable Receiver
RF Modulation (analogue)
Standards B/G, I, D/K, L, M/N
Sound Mono, NICAM stereo or
A2/A2* stereo
Modulation video VSB AM, neg. or pos.
Modulation mono Audio FM or AM
Output frequency 47 – 862 MHz
Output level > 110 dBuV (47-470 MHz)
> 105 dBuV (470-862 MHz)
S/N weighted > 57 dB
C/N, broadband > 70 dB
NICAM standards NICAM 728 (EN 300 163)
Power ratio B/G -20dB,
(Vision/NICAM carrier) I -24dB,
D/K -24dB,
L -27dB
Tolerance +/- 1dB
Impedance 75 Ω
QAM modes 16, 32, 64, 128 and 256 QAM
Symbol rate 4 – 7.2 Mbaud/s
MER (at RF out) > 38 dB for 256-QAM
DVB compliance DVB-C (EN 300 429)
QAM output frequency 47 - 862 MHz (1 kHz step)
Output level Min 105 dBuV (47-470 MHz)
Min 100 dBuV (470-862 MHz)
PSI/SI management Yes
Remultiplexing Yes
QAM modulation (Option)
Max input bit rate 55 Mbit/s
Max output bit rate 55 Mbit/s *)
Connector RJ 45 (same as control)
Output protocol UDP, Multicast
PSI/SI management Yes
Remultiplexing Yes
*) With single TS input to IP
IPTV out (Option)
7. Technical specification
English
Input frequency 50 - 858 MHz (centre freq.)
Input freq step size 250 kHz
Input level range -55 to -25 dBm *)
Input impedance 75 Ω
Input return loss 12 dB
QAM mode 16, 32, 64, 128 or 256 QAM
C/N limit 26 dB *)
Bandwidth 8 MHz
DVB compliance DVB-C
*) QEF reception with test signal: 64QAM, 26 dB C/N
COFDM mode 2K
Guard interval 1/32
FEC 7/8
MER >34 dB
DVB compliance DVB-T (EN 300 744)
Max output bitrate 31,67 Mbit/s (8 MHz bandwidth)
27,71 Mbit/s (7 MHz bandwidth)
23,75 Mbit/s (6 MHz bandwidth)
Output frequency 47 – 862 MHz (1 kHz step)
Output level Min 100 dBuV (47-470 MHz)
Min 95 dBuV (470-862 MHz)
PSI/SI management Yes
Remultiplexing Yes
COFDM modulation (Option)