Bittree 422A32 User manual

USER GUIDE
RS-422 64-Port Active Data Patchbay
Models 422A32 and 422A32-D

Table of Contents
1. Introduction........................................................................................3
1.1 Overview of the Patchbay ......................................................3
1.2 Key Features of the Patchbay.................................................5
1.3 Powering the Patchbay ...........................................................5
2. Connecting the Patchbay....................................................................7
2.1 Rear Panel DE9 Connections .................................................7
2.2 Front Panel Patchcord Connections .......................................8
3. Verifying and Diagnosing Connectivity.............................................8
3.1 Verifying Connectivity...........................................................8
3.2 Diagnosing Connectivity......................................................10
4. Specifications ...................................................................................13
5. Index.................................................................................................14
Bittree, Inc.
600 West Elk Avenue
Glendale, CA 91204
[phone]
[phone] toll-free
[phone] fax
www.Bittree.com
Page 2 – Bittree RS-422 64-Port Active Data Patchbay User Guide

1. Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the new Bittree RS422 64-Port Active Data Patchbay. You
have purchased the latest innovation in data patchbays, which will help you accomplish your
RS422 patching with unprecedented speed and reliability. Please read this User Guide end-to-
end to familiarize yourself with all of your patchbay’s features, and to ensure you will use it
safely and effectively.
1.1 Overview of the Patchbay
The new Bittree RS422 Active Data Patchbay delivers the most significant improvement in
RS422 patching since its inception, making it easier to route, manage, verify and diagnose
RS422 data connections.
The key innovation lies in the patchbay’s auto-sensing transceivers that receive, interpret and re-
transmit perfectly regenerated RS422 signals, eliminating inductive and capacitive signal
distortion frequently imposed by traditional passive switches. The patchbay also provides a
powerful diagnostic tool that easily verifies the connection status between controllers and remote
devices (e.g., VTRs). The color-coded Indicator LEDs on the front panel display the
transmitting and receiving status of each device connected to the patchbay, providing you with a
reliable way to manage, verify and diagnose RS422 signals, as well as determine which devices
are set to “Master” and which to “Remote.”
The RS422 Active Data Patchbay enhances the mechanical and electrical reliability of your
RS422 connections. Mechanically, your system will be more reliable because it uses standard,
robust bantam (TT) audio jacks and corresponding bantam audio patchcords, as opposed to the
more fragile “card edge” patchcords used by competing 2 x 32 patchbays that can cost twice as
much. Electrically, your system will be more reliable because the patchbay transmits
regenerated, pristine RS422 signals.
In addition to the signal-enhancement, diagnostic capabilities and increased reliability described
above, the form-factor of the new RS422 64-Port Data Patchbay is more efficient than that of
competing models, thanks to its 2 x 32 port configuration that perfectly matches standard routers.
To ensure uninterruptible operation and unmatched reliability, Model 422A32-D features dual,
redundant power supplies and automatic internal power switching in case of anomalous events.
Dual power indicator lights on the front panel provide complete status information on both
power supplies and the patchbay’s power bus. Model 422A32 features a single power supply.
The RS422 Active Data Patchbay is ideal for multiple edit bays and machine rooms in post-
production, broadcast and duplication houses. And because the patchbay also serves as a
repeater, it excels in today’s larger networked installations, helping to provide RS422 cable runs
of up to 8,000 feet, depending on the termination gear.
Page 3 – Bittree RS-422 64-Port Active Data Patchbay User Guide

Front and rear views of the Bittree RS422 Active Data Patchbay, with annotations, are shown in
Figure 1 below.
Figure 1 – Front and rear views of the RS422 Active Data Patchbay
Two rows of 32 bantam audio jacks and two rows of 128 indicator LEDs, one green and one
yellow per jack, are mounted on the front panel of the patchbay. Two rows of 32 9-pin female
subminiature-D (DE9) connectors are mounted on the rear panel of the patchbay. A bantam
audio patchcord inserted in any pair of front panel jacks completes a data connection between a
controller and a remote device connected to the corresponding rear panel DE9 connectors.
Page 4 – Bittree RS-422 64-Port Active Data Patchbay User Guide

Model 422A32-D, with dual, redundant power supplies, features two power indicator LEDs
mounted on the front panel of the patchbay and two “long” 2.0 mm power jacks mounted on the
rear. Meanwhile, Model 422A32A with a single power supply, features a power indicator LED
mounted on the front panel of the patchbay and one “long” 2.0 mm power jack mounted on the
rear.
1.2 Key Features of the Patchbay
•Electronic transceivers clean-up and re-generate RS422 signals, for cable runs up to
8,000 feet (total distance, from controller to remote)
•2 x 32 ports, 2 RU, 12" deep chassis
•Easy-to-read connection-status indicator lights
•Uses standard, low-cost, ultra-reliable bantam audio patchcords
•Port auto-sensing/auto-configuring (master or remote)
•Designed for the Sony Remote Delegation Protocol (“Protocol of Remote 9-Pin
Connector”)
•EIA RS-422-A (RS422) standard compliant
•Normal I/O paired ports
•DE9 female rear interface
•Patchbay power indicator lights
•Dual/redundant or single high-quality power supplies
•Jacks rated to 30,000 minimum insertions
•Rugged nickel-plated, cold-rolled steel box-frame jack construction
•Copper-nickel-silver alloy leaf springs with gold-alloy crossbar switching contacts and
nickel-plated sleeve bushings
•Panels made from 3/16” solid aluminum with black durable powder-coat finish
•Extra-wide designation strips
1.3 Powering the Patchbay
Depending on the Model, the Bittree RS422 Active Data Patchbay is shipped with either one or
two power supplies. There are specific grounding and current handling requirements that the
power supplies must meet. Although you could power your patchbay with any power supply that
meets the requirements detailed in the Specifications section (section 4) of this document, Bittree
strongly recommends that you use only Bittree-supplied power supplies to power your patchbay.
To ensure uninterruptible operation and unmatched reliability, Model 422A32-D features dual,
redundant power supplies and automatic internal power switching in case of anomalous events.
Dual power indicator lights on the front panel provide complete status information on both
power supplies and the patchbay’s power bus. Under normal circumstances, when both power
supplies are in good operational condition and powered-up, the patchbay draws its power from
the primary supply, “P1,” which is the supply plugged into the rightmost power jack on the rear-
panel. If for some reason the primary supply stops supplying power, the patchbay automatically
Page 5 – Bittree RS-422 64-Port Active Data Patchbay User Guide