COBHAM VETA User manual

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Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance
1916 Palomar Oaks Way, Suite 100, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Tel: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
GMS Inc. doing business as Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance www.cobham.com/tcs
The most important thing we build is trust.
Operations Manual
VETA Monitor Receiver
(VMR)

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TableofContents
1.Acronyms.................................................................................................................................................................... 5
2.Introduction............................................................................................................................................................. 6
2.1Key System Features.................................................................................................................................................6
2.2General System Information.................................................................................................................................6
2.3Warranty.........................................................................................................................................................................7
2.4Safe Operating Procedures.....................................................................................................................................8
3.Getting Started....................................................................................................................................................... 9
3.1Initial Checkout ...........................................................................................................................................................9
4.Hardware Overview........................................................................................................................................... 12
4.1VMR Control Panel..................................................................................................................................................12
4.1.1Monitor Control ..............................................................................................................................................12
4.1.1Received Signal Strength Green LED-s .................................................................................................13
4.1.2RF Green LED ....................................................................................................................................................13
4.1.1Lock Yellow LED...............................................................................................................................................13
4.1.2Alarm Red LED..................................................................................................................................................13
4.1.3Green Config LEDS 1 to 8...........................................................................................................................13
4.1.4Config Button...................................................................................................................................................14
4.1.5RF Button............................................................................................................................................................14
4.1.1Mode Button.....................................................................................................................................................15
4.2VMR SIDE PANEL.....................................................................................................................................................15
4.2.1Power Switch ....................................................................................................................................................15
4.2.2Communications DB-9 (F) Connector..................................................................................................16
4.2.3Video.....................................................................................................................................................................16
4.2.4Audio ....................................................................................................................................................................16
4.2.5External Power .................................................................................................................................................17
4.2.6RF CONNECTIONS .........................................................................................................................................17
4.3Using Internal Down-Converters .....................................................................................................................17
5.Software Control ................................................................................................................................................ 19
6.Specifications ....................................................................................................................................................... 20
6.1COFDM RF INPUT ...................................................................................................................................................20
6.2DEMODULATION.....................................................................................................................................................20
6.3VIDEO DECODING ..................................................................................................................................................20
6.4AUDIO DECODING .................................................................................................................................................21
6.5POWER..........................................................................................................................................................................21
6.6Physical.........................................................................................................................................................................21
6.7Environmental...........................................................................................................................................................21
6.8RS232 DATA OUTPUT ..........................................................................................................................................21
6.9CONTROL.....................................................................................................................................................................21
6.10REMOTE CONTROL.............................................................................................................................................21
6.11LOCAL MONITORING........................................................................................................................................22
6.12REMOTE MONITORING ...................................................................................................................................22

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6.13SECURITY OPTION.............................................................................................................................................22
List of Figures
Figure 1 – Basic VDL Setup ...................................................................................................................................................10
Figure 2 – VMR, Top View.....................................................................................................................................................12
Figure 3 – VMR, Monitor Controls.....................................................................................................................................12
Figure 4 – VMR, control panel.............................................................................................................................................13
Figure 5 – VMR OSD.................................................................................................................................................................14
Figure 6 – VMR Side View .....................................................................................................................................................15
Figure 7 – BDC Control Screen ...........................................................................................................................................18
List of Tables
Table 1 – Config LED-s............................................................................................................................................................14
Table 2 – Communications Connector....................................................................................................................16
Table 3 – Video Connector...............................................................................................................................................16
Table 4 – Audio Connections..........................................................................................................................................16
Table 5 – External Power .......................................................................................................................................................17
Table 6 – RF Connections......................................................................................................................................................17
List of Appendices
Appendix A – Troubleshooting Section: LED Indictors...........................................................................................23
Appendix B – Faults..................................................................................................................................................................24
Appendix C – Example of Default Configurations Settings for LS-Band........................................................25
Appendix D – Example of Default Configurations Settings for C2-Band.......................................................26

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Revision History
Version Date Main Changes from Previous
version Edited Checked
X1 9-23-2009 Initial Release RM
X2 12/21/2009 Update to sunlight readable monitor RM

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1. Acronyms
This section lists and describes the various acronyms used in this document.
Name Meaning
16QAM 16-state Quadrature Amplitude Modulation
A/V Audio/Video
AES Advanced Encryption System
ABS Basic Encryption System (8 bit)
CSM Compact Surveillance Modem
COFDM Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing
CVBS Composite Video
BDC Block-Down Converter
FEC Forward Error Correction
GUI Graphical User Interface
I/O Input/ Output
KBaud Kilobaud per second
Kbps Kilobits per second
Mbps Megabits per second
MER Modulation Error Rate
MPEG Moving Picture Experts Group
NTSC National Television System Committee
PAL Phase Alternation Line
QPSK Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation
RF Radio Frequency
RX Receiver
S/N Signal-to-Noise Ratio
THD Total Harmonic Distortion
TX Transmitter
VDC Volts (Direct Current)
VDL VETA Digital Link
VR VETA Receiver
VT VETA Transmitter
VDR VETA Digital Repeater
UDP User Datagram Protocol
VNA VETA Network Adapter

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2. Introduction
Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance’s Very Efficient Transmission Apparatus (VETA)
product line provides several key features that enable high-quality and low-latency wireless
Audio/Video (A/V) transmission for the most demanding short or long distance point to point or to
multipoint transmission applications. VETA uses a robust digital modulation system known as
Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division (COFDM) that provides a robust link that is immune to
multipath interference and provides crisp, clear pictures in the most difficult of terrains.
This manual provides information on how to operate the VMR (VETA Monitor Receiver) as well as
pertinent technical information related to the overall system.
2.1 Key System Features
8” Integrated sunlight readable LCD Monitor
Input Frequency: 0.174 to 7.2 GHz (In-Bands)
COFDM Demodulation 400(1) or 2K Carriers
Bandwidths from 1.25(2)MHz to 8 MHz
Uses Professional batteries
Internal Block-Down Converters
Compact and lightweight
Secure with ABS / AES 128 or 256 Encryption(3)
Low End to End System Latency (~44mS)
(1), (2) 400 carriers is optional with the 1.25 or 2.5MHz RF bandwidths
(3) AES 128 or AES 256 are optional
2.2 General System Information
Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance’s VETA Monitor Receiver (VMR) is a
state-of-the-art COFDM receiver for mobile/portable applications. This compact, battery
(IDX or Anton Bauer) or DC operated receiver contains two internal Down-Converters (or
LNA for UHF applications) for Diversity reception, a VETA compliant Receiver, 8-inch flat
screen sunlight readable monitor with headphone. Analog A/V output jacks are provided for
viewing on an external monitor. Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance’s Very
Efficient Transmission Apparatus (VETA) Product Line provides several key features that
enable high-quality and low-latency wireless Audio/Video (A/V) transmission for the most
demanding short or long distance point to point or point to multipoint transmission
applications. VETA uses a robust digital modulation system known as Coded Orthogonal
Frequency Division Multiplexed (COFDM) that provides a robust link that is immune to
multipath interference and provides crisp, clear pictures in the most difficult of terrains!

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GMS Inc. doing business as Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance www.cobham.com/tcs
The VETA product line supports standard DVB-T 2K carriers with 6, 7, or 8 MHz bandwidths.
Additionally, optional 1.25 MHz or 2.5 MHz RF bandwidths with 400 carriers that allow both
increased reception range and larger quantity of simultaneous A/V links to operate in the same
frequency band. The wider bandwidths provide greater throughput that allow the system to
transfer the highest quality video. The standard VMR is supplied with dual Diversity inputs and
internal RF Block-Down Converters (BDC-s) with a user selected frequency band. The VMR’s
Maximal Ratio Diversity Combiner provides optimum reception in difficult fading and multipath
environments.
One of the biggest problems encountered in the transition from analog to digital A/V systems has
been the inherent digital coding/decoding delays that in some digital systems are 400ms or more.
The VETA Transmitters & Receivers employ internal MPEG-2 or MPEG-4(4) (User Selectable)
Encoders and Decoders with specially designed ‘low-delay’ coding technology, which provides an
end to end latency down to 44ms(5) without the introduction of any further MPEG encoding
artifacts. This ensures that the picture you see is what is happening now - crucial for applications
such as surveillance, and law enforcement, where personnel are reacting to real-time events.
Control and status monitoring can be accomplished via the VMR’s Rx Control Panel (Top of Unit)
or via an external IBM PC and Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance’s M.S. Windows
application control software. Critical performance parameters like Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), Pre
and Post FEC Bit Error Rate (BER) and Packet Errors are provided both on the on the On-Screen
Display or M.S. Windows control program.
Security of transmission is ensured by the use of Standard ABS encryption or, for greater security,
the optional AES 128 or 256 bit scrambling algorithms can be added.
(4) Option Dependant
(5) 44mS in DVBT modes. Up to 120mS in Narrow Band modes, depends on modulation parameters.
2.3 Warranty
Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance offers a 12 month standard product warranty.
During this period, should the customer encounter a fault with the equipment we recommend the
following course of action:
Check the support section of the website for information on that product and any
software/firmware upgrades.
If fault persists call our support line and report the fault. If fault persists and you are
informed to return the product, please obtain an RMA number from the Cobham
Tactical Communications and Surveillance support department or website and ship the
equipment with the RMA number displayed and a description of the fault. Please email
the support section the airway bill/consignment number for tracking purposes.
Depending on the nature of the fault Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance
endeavors to repair the equipment and return it to the customer within 14 days of the item
arriving at our workshops. Obviously it is impossible to cater for all types of faults and to manage
100% replacement part availability, and delays are sometimes inevitable.

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GMS Inc. doing business as Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance www.cobham.com/tcs
Please contact Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance for details of packages that can
be tailored to meet your individual needs, whether they are service availability, technical training,
and local geographic support or dedicated spares holdings.
2.4 Safe Operating Procedures
• Ensure that the power supply arrangements are adequate to meet the requirements of
VETA product.
• Operate within the environmental limits specified for the product.
• Only authorized, trained personnel should open the product. There are no functions that
required the User to gain access to the interior of the product.

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3. Getting Started
The VMR is pre-configured by Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance prior to
shipment, thus is ready to work “right out of the box”.
NOTE: Additional cables and antennas may be delivered by Cobham Tactical Communications and
Surveillance based on customer application. Contact Cobham Tactical Communications and
Surveillance for further information.
3.1 Initial Checkout
Prior to installing a VMR unit into the desired target environment, an initial checkout should
be performed to ensure proper operation of the unit. The initial checkout consists of
configuring a basic VDL (VETA Digital LINK) wireless link.
Figure 1 shows a basic VETA configuration wireless link. The VMR shown below has the
standard default internal down converters. The steps necessary to setup the configuration
shown are stated below:
Install omni-directional antennas (or ones best suited for the application) onto the
RF IN A and RF IN B ports on the VMR and one on the SMA RF connector on the
Veta transmitter.
Attach the VT (VETA transmitter) power cable and apply +12VDC to the red pigtail
and GND to the black pigtail. Ensure power supply can supply at least 2.5A at
+12VDC.
Attach a composite video source to the BNC video input cable that is located on the
VT breakout cable and turn it on.
Note which VT Configuration LED 1 through 8 is lit (above the CONFIG button); this
number must match the receiver, assuming that both VT and VMR have default
parameters.
Press the RF button on the VT to insure that RF signal is On.
Apply +12Vdc to the VMR.
Turn on the VMR with the PWR switch on the front panel (up is ON for Battery and
down for external Power Supply through 4-pin XLR).
The VMR is wired such that the decoded video is fed directly into the monitor.
Ensure the selected green LED1 through 8 (above the CONF button) on VMR and VT
match. If not use the CONF button to select the correct configuration, or change
actual parameters using Control Software.

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www.cobham.com/tcs
If the configuration LED is flashing green, press the RF button on the front keypad
(this action provides power to the internal down converters, which must always be
on for VMR to receive RF).
Press the MODE button to turn on the diagnostic OSD (on screen display).
After approximately 5 seconds, the link should be established and video provided by
the source should be displayed on the monitor. The green RF LED should light as well
as the signal strength green LED indicators.
If the red Alarm LED lights it may be an indication that the receiver is unable to lock
to a signal. Check the following:
oEnsure the receiver and transmitter configuration green LED (1 through 16)
located above the CONFIG button are the same. If not press the CONFIG
button on either the transmitter or receiver so they match. See section 4.1.3
for details on Config LED-s.
oEnsure the BDCC PWR for the VMR is ON, (Configuration LED should be solid
green).
oEnsure the transmitter RF button has been pressed after applying +12VDC.
oUse the control cable and GUI to ensure that the following modulation
parameters match on both the VETA TX and VMR: Bandwidth, Frequency,
Guard Interval and OFDM Polarity.
oIf the TX and RX are physically too close to each other, the RX may overload
causing distorted Video. You may reduce the power of the TX (Use RF
button) or move the TX & RX further apart.
Figure 1 – Basic VDL Setup
12VDC
12VDC B
A
(VMR)
(
VT
)