ASTRO VG-881 User manual

Programmable Video Signal Generator
VG-881
Instruction Manual
Ver 1.01

Programmable Video Signal Generator
VG-881
Instruction Manual
2010.2
Ver.1.01
ASTRODESIGN,Inc

C
Co on nt te en nt ts s 
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Before Use ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................iii
Chapter 1.CONCERNINGTHEVG-881.........................................................................................................................................................................1
1.1 General descriptions .....................................................................................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Features ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................1
1.3 Product specifications ..................................................................................................................................................................................................2
1.3.1 General specifications ....................................................................................................................................................................................2
1.3.2 Unit specifications .............................................................................................................................................................................................2
1.4 Parts and their functions.............................................................................................................................................................................................3
1.4.1VG-881FrontPanel............................................................................................................................................................................................3
1.4.2VG-881RearPanel..............................................................................................................................................................................................4
1.4.3OutputInterface....................................................................................................................................................................................................5
1.4.3.1 HDMI BOARD....................................................................................................................................................................................5
1.4.3.2 TV ANALOG BOARD ....................................................................................................................................................................5
1.4.3.3 SCART BOARD................................................................................................................................................................................5
1.5 Data structures .................................................................................................................................................................................................................6
1.6 CF Card................................................................................................................................................................................................................................7
1.6.1 CF Card insert.....................................................................................................................................................................................................7
1.6.2 Taking out the CF Card..................................................................................................................................................................................7
1.7 External Interface............................................................................................................................................................................................................8
1.7.1 RS-232C Connector ........................................................................................................................................................................................8
Chapter 2.OutputBoard.......................................................................................................................................................................................................9
2.1 HDMI Board .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................9
2.1.1 Output specifications.......................................................................................................................................................................................9
2.1.2 Connector and pin assignment...............................................................................................................................................................10
2.2 TV ANALOG Board.....................................................................................................................................................................................................11
2.2.1 Output specifications....................................................................................................................................................................................11
2.2.2 Connector and pin assignment...............................................................................................................................................................12
2.2.2.1 Composite.........................................................................................................................................................................................12
2.2.2.2 Y/C (S connector).........................................................................................................................................................................12
2.2.2.3 D5 (D connector)...........................................................................................................................................................................13
2.2.2.4 Component (RCA) .......................................................................................................................................................................13
2.2.2.5 VGA (D-Sub) ...................................................................................................................................................................................13
2.2.2.6 Analog Audio ...................................................................................................................................................................................14
2.3 SCART Board ................................................................................................................................................................................................................15
2.3.1 Output specifications....................................................................................................................................................................................15
2.3.2 Connector and pin assignment...............................................................................................................................................................16
2.3.2.1 SCART................................................................................................................................................................................................16
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Chapter 3.Operations..........................................................................................................................................................................................................17
3.1 Menu selection..............................................................................................................................................................................................................17
3.2 Manual Test.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................18
3.2.1 Large group selection..................................................................................................................................................................................18
3.2.2 Sample Program ............................................................................................................................................................................................18
3.2.3 Large group execution ................................................................................................................................................................................19
3.3 Automatic Test ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................20
3.3.1 Operations..........................................................................................................................................................................................................20
3.3.1.1 All interface execution. ..............................................................................................................................................................20
3.3.1.2 One interface execution ...........................................................................................................................................................21
3.4 Configuration..................................................................................................................................................................................................................22
3.5 Copy / Erase / Format...............................................................................................................................................................................................24
3.6 Information.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................25
3.7 TV/SCART Adjust ........................................................................................................................................................................................................26
3.8 Editing ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................27
3.8.1 Register the internal patterns. ................................................................................................................................................................27
3.8.2 Register the user timings...........................................................................................................................................................................27
3.8.3 Make the program data..............................................................................................................................................................................28
3.8.4 Group data.........................................................................................................................................................................................................28
3.8.5 USER KEY BLOCK data ...........................................................................................................................................................................28
Chapter 4.Cautions.............................................................................................................................................................................................................29
4.1 Concerning the DDC power supply...................................................................................................................................................................29
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ii 

Before Use
Introduction

Thank you for very much purchasing the model Video Signal Generator VG-881.
ThismanualcontainsdetailsontheoperationprocedurestobefollowedwhentheVG-881isused,thecheckpointsand
precautionstobeobserved,andsoon.
Before using the VG-881, please read through these instructions.
Afterreadingthemanual,keepitinasafeplaceforfuturereference.
Safety Precautions
警告
Warning
Concerning the generator
■Do not subject the generator to impact or throw it. Doing so may cause the generator to malfunction,
explode or generate abnormally high levels of heat, possibly resulting in a fire.
■Do not use the generator where there is a danger of ignition or explosions.
■Do not place the generator inside a microwave oven or other heating kitchen appliance or inside a
high pressure vessel. Doing so may heat up the generator to abnormally high levels, cause smoking,
running the risk of the generator’s catching fire and/or damaging the circuit components.
■This generator contains some high-voltage parts. If you touch them, you may receive an electric shock
and burn yourself so do not attempt to disassemble, repair or remodel the generator.
■If there is a thunderstorm while the generator is being used outdoors, immediately turn off its power,
disconnect the power cable from the main unit, and move the generator to a safe place.
Concerning the power cord
■Always take hold of the molded part of the plug when disconnecting the power cable.
■Do not use force to bend the power cable or bunch it up for use. Doing so may cause a fire.
■ Do not place heavy objects on top of the power cable. Doing so may damage the cord, causing a fire
or electrical shock.
Concerning foreign matter
■Do not spill liquids inside the monitor or drop inflammable objects or metal parts into it. Operating the
switcher under these conditions may cause a fire, electric shocks and/or malfunctioning.
iii
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注 意 
Caution
Concerning the generator
■When connecting the generator to a display unit, use the FG cable provided to connect the
frame ground (FG) terminal on the generator to the frame ground terminal on the display
unit. If these terminals are not connected together, the generator may fail. Take special care
when connecting the generator to a display unit which is under development.

FG FG
LAN RS-232C
ACIN(100-240V)T5A
SLOT1
SLOT3
SLOT2
SLOT4
MADEINJAPAN
MODEL;
SER.No;
PYP
BR LRY/C
VIDEO
VGA
ANALOGAU DIOOUT
SCART2SCART1
HDMI2HDMI1 HDMI3


■When disconnecting the VG-881 from the display unit, first disconnect the connecting cables, and then
disconnect the FG cable.
■When the generator’s power is to be turned ON or OFF, be absolutely sure to use the POWER switch on the front
panel. Turning the power on and off by plugging in and unplugging the AC power cable may damage the PC card.
■Do not start using the generator straight away: instead, turn on the power of the VG-881 and allow it to
warm up for about 10 to 15 minutes before use so as to ensure that the VG-881 will operate stably.
■During accessing to the CF Card, LED besides the CF card slot blinks. During it is blinking, do not
take off the card. Otherwise, it will damage the unit.
Concerning impact
■This is a precision instrument and, as such, subjecting it to impact may cause malfunctioning. Take
special care when moving the generator.
■Do not drop the generator.
Concerning installation
■Install the generator in a stable location. Do not stand it on either of its side panels. Doing so may
cause the generator’s temperature to rise due to heat generation, possibly resulting in
malfunctioning.
When trouble or malfunctioning has occurred
■In the unlikely event that trouble or malfunctioning should occur, disconnect the generator’s power
cable, and contact your dealer or an ASTRODESIGN sales representative.
iv 

BeforeUse

What is packed with the generator

The generator comes with the following items.
・VG-881 Main unit
・VG-881 instruction manual (what you are now reading) : 1 disc
・Compact Flash（CF）card : 1 pc
・Compact Flash（CF）card case : 1 pc
・Power cable : 1 pc ＊1
・FG cable (1.5m) : 1 pc ＊1
*1) These cables are designed to be used exclusively with the VG-881.
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vi 

1
1 CONCERNINGTHEVG-881

1.1 General descriptions

The VG-881 video signal generator supports applications in every field of display test and measuring.
The output that supports various kinds of display, such as CRT, LCD, PDP and digital TV can be used for R&D,
production line, inspection and maintenance.
Each interface can output different patterns and timings independently.

1.2 Features
■Dot Clock165MHz, Output level 12-bit
■Simultaneous output colors 256. (Only Linear RAMP can output in the full level)
■Maximum resolution 1920 x 1200（WUXGA）
■Different pattern and timings can be output from the different interface.
■Various TV interfaces are supported, HDMI, Composite, S-terminal, D-terminal,
Component, VGA and SCART.
■Easy operation by using the front keys.
■Program edit is done by PC only.
■LAN / RS-232C communication
■Memory storage is in the CF card.
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1.3 Product specifications
1.3.1 General specifications

Table 1.3.1General specifications
Powersupply
voltage AC100to120V,AC200to240V
Frequency 50Hz/60Hz
Power
consumption 50W
Outerdimensions 430（W）×66（H）×320（D）mm
(excludingtheprojectedparts.) 
Weight Max5Kgs(whenTVANALOGboardx4areinstalled.)
Operating
temperature 5to40℃
Storagehumidity −10to60℃
Humidity 30to85％RH(nocondensation)
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1.3.2 Unit specifications

Table 1.3.2Unit specifications
Item Descriptions
Resolution 1920x1200
ColorSpace RGB/YPｂPｒ(4:4:4,4:2:2)
standard 256colors
Simultaneous
outputcolors LinearRamp OutputlevelisbasedontheBITwidth.
(Horizontaldirectionramponly)
Capableoutputcolors
(outputlevel) 65535xRGB(16bit) (Inthecurrentversion,HDMImuxis12-bit)
DotClock 25to165MHz
(exceptNTSC,PAL,SECAMoutput)
Externalinterface RS-232C USB(underdevelopment)
LAN
Storagemedia CFCard
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2 

Chapter1 CONCERNINGTHEVG-881

1.4 Parts and their functions
1.4.1 VG-881FrontPanel

(D) (E)
PATTERN
CFCARD
9
5
10
6
12
7 8
3 4 720p
576i/PAL
USER2
REMOTE
1080i
480p
XGA USER1
480i/NTSC
1080p
TIMING
USB2 USB1
FRAMERATE
576i/SECAM
USER3
576p DIGITAL VIDEO GENERATOR VG-881
ALL bYP P
TOP
G/Y
R/Prr B/Pb
HDCP
INV EDID AUDIO
CEC
MENU
NAME POWER
(F)
(J)(A)(K)(Ⅰ)(H)(G)
(C)(B)(N)(M)(L) 

(A) Cross key Select up, down, right, and left.
(B) ALL key Apply the program No. change to all interfaces.
RGB On/Off key RGB On/Off
YPbPr key Switch YPbPr and RGB.
(C)
INV key White-black inverse the video level
HDCP key HDCP On/Off
CEC key Send CEC commands.
EDID key The EDID of the connected display is displayed on the screen.
(D)
AUDIO key AUDIO On/Off（MUTE）
(E) MENU key Select the mode
(F) NAME key Display the information of each display (port, timing, pattern etc)
* Font size and display content can be edited by the software.
(G) PATTERN select key Select patterns
(H) TIMING select key Select timings
(Ⅰ) TOP key Select the first program number of the group.
(While selecting MENU, L-Group, it goes back to the top of each item)
(J) Power button Power on/off
(K) VFD Panel 140×32 dot VFD panel
(L) CF Card Slot Insert CF Card.
When taking out the CF card, use the EJECT button on the left of the slot.
(M) Connector for
the remote box * Remote box is not available now.
(N) USB terminal USB terminal （A/B Type）(USB communication is under development)
Caution
Pay attention treating CF card.
Please see “1.6 CF card” about inserting / taking off the CF card.
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1.4.2 VG-881RearPanel

LAN RS-232C
ACIN(100-240V)T5A
SLOT1
SLOT3
SLOT2
SLOT4
MADEINJAPAN
MODEL;
SER.No;
PYP
BR LRY/C
VIDEO
VGA
ANALOGAUDIOOUT
SCART2SCART1
HDMI2HDMI1 HDMI3
(O)(Q)(R)
(S)
(P) 

(O) Output interface Max. 4 boards can be installed.
(P) Frame ground (FG) Set the same FG between VG-881 and connecting devices.
(Q) RS-232C connector Connect with PC by RS-232C.
(R) LAN connector Connect with PC by LAN
AC input connector Connect the power cable.
100 to 240V power voltage is supported.
(S)

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
Caution User power switch when you turn off power. If you take off power cable during power on,
CF card may be damaged.
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4 

Chapter1 CONCERNINGTHEVG-881

1.4.3 OutputInterface


1.4.3.1 HDMI BOARD

HDMI2HDMI1 HDMI3

HDMIoutput 3outputs

Please refer to 2.1 HDMI board about the output specifications.
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1.4.3.2 TV ANALOG BOARD

PYP
BRLRY/C
VIDEO
VGA

Video (Composite) output RCA connectors 1 output
Y/C output S connectors 1 output
VGA output D-sub connectors 1 output
Component output RCA connectors
D-5 output D connector
User can select either one.
(The figure shows the component
RCA output as example.)
Analog Audio output RCA connectors 1 output

Please refer to 2.2 TV ANALOG board about the output specifications.

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1.4.3.3 SCART BOARD

SCART2SCART1

SCARToutput 2outputs

Please refer to 2.3 SCART board about the output specifications.
5
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1.5 Data structures
Group data is based on the program data (timing data and pattern data combination).
Each interface has small group data. In the below figure, A, B …L indicates each interface.
These small groups are combined to be a large group. In the below figure, Group 1, … 99 indicates big groups.
USER KEY BLOCK data stands for PATTERN and TIMING data assigned to PATTERN Select Key and TIMING Select
Key.
* As for the way to make and arrange USER KEY BLOCK data, see SP-8870 operating manual. As for the way to
register data from CF card to the VG main unit, see the section 3.5 “Copy / Erase / Format”

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Fig. 1.5.1 Example of Large groups (test program)

Table 1.5.1Each data register numbers
Item Numbers
Program data 1000
Group (large group) 99
Small groups in a large group 12
Small group 99
Program data in a small group 98
USER KEY BLOCK data * 1
6 

Chapter1 CONCERNINGTHEVG-881

1.6 CF Card
CFCardcanexecutethefollowingfunctions

Table 1.6.1 CF Card usage
Function Description
Data storage Save the following data
・Program data
・User Option data
・Bitmap data
Version up Update the firmware and FPGA

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1.6.1 CF Card insert
(1）Insert the CF Card as the direction that is shown on the surface of the card.
Insert it firmly.
You hear the beep sound.
If the CF card is locked correctly, LED becomes green after beep sound.
1.6.2 Taking out the CF Card
(1）Press the EJECT button besides the card slot lightly.
EJECT button is coming out.
(2）Push the EJECT button strongly, and take out the card.
LED lights off.


Caution
1）Please use the CF card that is attached to the unit. ASTRODESIGN does not
guarantee the abnormal operation that is caused by using other cards.
2）Please keep instruction of CF card insertion. Otherwise, the card will be
damaged.
3）During accessing to the CF card, the LED blinks. During blinking, please do not
take off the card. Otherwise, it may damage the unit.
7
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1.7 External Interface
Table1.7.1ExternalI/F
Function Description
RemoteBox Remotecontrol(notsupportingnow)
RS-232C CommunicationwithSPsoftware
LAN 10/100BASE-T
USB Underdevelopment

1.7.1 RS-232C Connector

1 5
6 9 
Pin No. I/O Signal
1 −NC
2 O TXD
(Transmitted data)
3 I
RXD(Received
data)
4 −Shorted with pin6
5 −FG
6 −Shorted with pin 4
7 I CTS
(Clear to Send)
8 O RTS
(Request to Send)
9 −NC
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8 

2
2 OutputBoard

2.1 HDMI Board
2.1.1 Output specifications
Table 2.1.1 HDMI output specifications
Item Specifications
Output numbers 3 port
Standard HDMI Ver1.3a
CEA-861-E
Dot Clock 25 to 165MHz （12bit: 25 to 150MHｚ）
TMDS Clock 225MHｚ(MAX)
TMDS Data 2.25GHz (MAX)
Video Format RGB, YPbPr 4:4:4 / 4:2:2
resolution 8, 10. 12 bit (RGB、YPbPr 4:4:4, YPbPr 4:2:2)
HDMI
output
HDCP HDCP Ver1.1 compliant
Channel numbers 8ch
Sampling frequency 32, 48kHz
Resolution 16, 20, 24 bit
Frequency 100Hz to 20kHz (100Hz unit)
Audio
Audio Source Internal audio : sine wave
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2.1.2 Connector and pin assignment
119
218 

Pin No. Signal
1 TMDS DATA2＋
2 TMDS DATA2 SHIELD
3 TMDS DATA2−
4 TMDS DATA1＋
5 TMDS DATA1 SHIELD
6 TMDS DATA1−
7 TMDS DATA0＋
8 TMDS DATA0 SHIELD
9 TMDS DATA0−
10 TMDS CLK＋
11 TMDS CLK SHIELD
12 TMDS CLK−
13 CEC
14 RESERVE
15 DDC CLK
16 DDC DATA
17 GROUND（for +5V）
18 +5V (DDC power supply *1)
19 HOT PLUG DETECT
Shell FG


* Restrictions apply to the supply current of the DDC power supply. Refer to 4.1 Concerning the
Maximum current consumption of the DDC power supply.
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10 