COBHAM SOLH264TX User manual

Document Number DS000091
Software Version 1.4
SOLH264TX Broadcast
Transmitter
H264TX, H264ENGTX, H264ENC
Part A - User Guide
Tactical Communications and Surveillance
UNCLASSIFIED
The Cobham Centre - Solent
Fusion 2
1100 Parkway
Solent Business Park
Whiteley
Hampshire
PO15 7AB
[phone]

SOLH264TX Broadcast Transmitter
H264TX, H264ENGTX, H264ENC
UNCLASSIFIED
Part A - User Guide
DS000091
Rev 1.2 2013-05-02
UNCLASSIFIED
Page 0-1
0. Preface
0.1 About this Document
This document contains all relevant details required for the Operation and Administration of
the equipment or system.
Since the available functions are licensed and depend on the specific implementation, not all
the functions and or applications contained in this document may be relevant or applicable to
the system you will be working with.
Actual screen presentation may differ from those in this document due to software changes
or your browser configuration.
0.2 Who Should Read this Book
This document is meant for anyone interested in how the system can best be used, but it is
of most benefit to:
Operators who are in charge of the daily operation of the equipment.
Installers who are responsible for the pre-installation, on-site installation and
configuration of the system in the end-user environment.
Maintenance staff that are responsible for maintaining the equipment or system.
0.3 Assumed Knowledge
Throughout this book it is assumed that the reader has a thorough knowledge of:
Basic Personal Computer Operations.
Basic Radio Frequency (RF) Principles.
0.4 Notice about Specifications
While Cobham makes every attempt to maintain the accuracy of the information contained in
its product manuals, the information is subject to change without notice. Performance
specifications included in this manual are design-centre specifications and are included for
customer guidance and to facilitate system installation. Actual operating performance may
vary.

SOLH264TX Broadcast Transmitter
H264TX, H264ENGTX, H264ENC
UNCLASSIFIED
Part A - User Guide
DS000091
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UNCLASSIFIED
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0.5 Typographic Conventions
This document uses these typographic conventions to identify text that has a special
meaning:
Typographic Conventions
Convention
Examples
TEXT in small capitals represents a
specific key press on the console
keyboard or hardware panel.
ESC, F1, SHIFT
The + sign means “hold down the first
key while pressing the second key”.
Press CTRL+C to abort
<Text> Serves as a placeholder for
variable text that you will replace as
appropriate to its context.
Use the filename
<systemname>.sys for…
Text in bold emphasises a new word or
term of significance.
We call this a protocol
and its function is…
[-a] Text in these brackets indicates an
optional component that can be left out.
Ls [-a]
NN This indicates a value entered on a
numeric keypad.
45 on the numeric
keypad
Successive menu selections are
shown using arrows to indicate a sub-
menu. In this example this would mean:
Select the Insert menu, then select
picture, then select from file.
Insert→picture→from
file
0.6 Symbols
This document uses these symbols to highlight important information:
WARNING:A written notice given to a reader when a situation might result in personal
injury or loss of life.
CAUTION:A written notice given when a situation might result in damage to or destruction
of equipment or systems.
Note:A written notice given to draw the reader’s attention to something or to supply
additional information.

SOLH264TX Broadcast Transmitter
H264TX, H264ENGTX, H264ENC
UNCLASSIFIED
Part A - User Guide
DS000091
Rev 1.2 2013-05-02
UNCLASSIFIED
Page 0-3
0.7 Trademarks
All trademarks or registered trademarks that appear in this document are the property of
their respective owners.
0.8 Related Documents
You may also need to read:
Document
Source
Part-B Concept Guide
Cobham Tactical Communications and
Surveillance.
Part-C Installation Guide
Cobham Tactical Communications and
Surveillance.
Part-D Reference Guide
Cobham Tactical Communications and
Surveillance.
0.9 Document History
This document was written and produced by Cobham Tactical Communications and
Surveillance Technical Publications Team.
This is a change controlled document. Each main page of this document displays a revision
number and date at the bottom left corner of the page. The revision is also indicated in the
table below.
Changes to any page will raise the revision status of the whole document.
Revision
Date
Authors
Summary of Changes
Draft 1
2012-01-24
R Cogswell
Initial Draft
Revision 1.0
2012-04-13
R Cogswell
First Release
Revision 1.1
2013-01-25
R Cogswell
Added Advanced Chaining as
Appendix B.
Revision 1.2
2013-05-02
R Cogswell
FEC Corrections

SOLH264TX Broadcast Transmitter
H264TX, H264ENGTX, H264ENC
UNCLASSIFIED
Part A - User Guide
DS000091
Rev 1.2 2013-05-02
UNCLASSIFIED
Page 0-4
Contents
0. Preface..................................................................................... 0-1
0.1 About this Document.......................................................................................0-1
0.2 Who Should Read this Book..............................................................................0-1
0.3 Assumed Knowledge........................................................................................0-1
0.4 Notice about Specifications...............................................................................0-1
0.5 Typographic Conventions.................................................................................0-2
0.6 Symbols..........................................................................................................0-2
0.7 Trademarks ....................................................................................................0-3
0.8 Related Documents .........................................................................................0-3
0.9 Document History............................................................................................0-3
Contents......................................................................................... 0-4
1. Systems Description .................................................................. 1-1
1.1 General ..........................................................................................................1-1
1.2 Overview........................................................................................................1-1
1.2.1 Operational Requirement ...........................................................................1-1
1.2.2 Solution/Role/Purpose................................................................................1-1
1.2.3 Brief Description........................................................................................1-2
1.3 The Unique Technology - How Does It Work?....................................................1-3
1.3.1 Understanding Digital Transmission.............................................................1-3
1.3.2 Understanding MPEG.................................................................................1-3
1.3.3 Understanding COFDM...............................................................................1-4
1.4 Features and Benefits......................................................................................1-5
1.4.1 Features and Benefits Table .......................................................................1-5
1.5 Applications ....................................................................................................1-6
1.5.1 Professional Camera Back Applications – Sports and News............................1-7
1.5.2 Helicopter Integration for News and Traffic Coverage...................................1-7
1.5.3 Integration in Vehicles ...............................................................................1-7
1.6 Variants and Options .......................................................................................1-8
1.6.1 Variants – SOLH264TX Broadcast Transmitter..............................................1-8
1.6.2 Variants – SOLH264ENGTX Broadcast Camera Back Transmitter....................1-9
1.6.3 Accessory Options .....................................................................................1-9
1.6.4 Licensing Options ....................................................................................1-10
1.7 Illustrations...................................................................................................1-11
1.7.1 Main System Diagram – SOLH264TX Broadcast Transmitter........................1-11
1.7.2 Main System Diagram – SOLH264ENGTX Broadcast Camera Back Transmitter. 1-
13
1.8 Hardware System..........................................................................................1-15
1.8.1 SOLH264TX Broadcast Transmitter Enclosure.............................................1-15
1.8.2 SOLH264ENGTX Broadcast Camera Back Transmitter Enclosure ..................1-16
1.9 Software System...........................................................................................1-16
1.9.1 Internal Software ....................................................................................1-17
1.9.2 Control Application ..................................................................................1-17

SOLH264TX Broadcast Transmitter
H264TX, H264ENGTX, H264ENC
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2. Complete Equipment Schedule..................................................2-18
2.1 General ........................................................................................................2-18
2.2 Complete Equipment Schedule .......................................................................2-18
2.2.1 Equipment Schedule – SOLH264TX...........................................................2-18
2.2.2 Accessory Options ...................................................................................2-19
2.2.3 Licensing Options ....................................................................................2-20
2.2.4 Equipment Schedule – SOLH264ENGTX.....................................................2-21
3. Placards and Markings..............................................................3-23
3.1 General ........................................................................................................3-23
3.2 Exterior Placards and Marking System.............................................................3-23
3.2.1 Enclosure External Barcode Serial Number Placard .....................................3-23
3.2.2 Product Placard.......................................................................................3-24
3.2.3 SMA MAX. 0.45Nm Placard.......................................................................3-25
3.2.4 Warranty Void Placard .............................................................................3-25
3.3 Interior Placards and Marking System .............................................................3-25
3.4 Exterior Colour Schemes and Marking System..................................................3-25
3.4.1 Enclosure Colour .....................................................................................3-25
3.4.2 Panel Markings........................................................................................3-25
4. Cautions and Warnings.............................................................4-26
4.1 General ........................................................................................................4-26
4.2 Cautions and Warnings..................................................................................4-26
4.3 EMC / Safety and Radio Approvals ..................................................................4-27
4.4 CE Marking ...................................................................................................4-27
5. Panels, Displays, Controls, Indicators and Alarms.......................5-28
5.1 General ........................................................................................................5-28
5.2 Panel System – SOLH264TX...........................................................................5-28
5.2.1 Top Panel – SOLH264TX ..........................................................................5-28
5.2.2 Bottom Panel – SOLH264TX .....................................................................5-29
5.2.3 Left Hand Side Panel – SOLH264TX...........................................................5-30
5.2.4 Right Hand Side Panel – SOLH264TX.........................................................5-30
5.3 Indicator System – SOLH264TX......................................................................5-31
5.4 Control Panel System – SOLH264TX................................................................5-31
5.4.1 Cancel/Back Button .................................................................................5-31
5.4.2 Joystick/Confirm Button ...........................................................................5-31
5.5 Alarm System – SOLH264TX...........................................................................5-32
5.6 Display System - SOLH264TX .........................................................................5-32
5.7 Panel System – SOLH264ENGTX.....................................................................5-32
5.7.1 Top Panel – SOLH264ENGTX....................................................................5-32
5.7.2 Back Panel – SOLH264ENGTX...................................................................5-33
5.7.3 Right Hand Side Panel – SOLH264ENGTX ..................................................5-34
5.7.4 Left Hand Side Panel – SOLH264ENGTX ....................................................5-35
5.8 Indicator System – SOLH264ENGTX................................................................5-35
5.9 Control Panel System – SOLH264ENGTX..........................................................5-35
5.9.1 Cancel/Back Button .................................................................................5-36
5.9.2 Joystick/Confirm Button ...........................................................................5-36

SOLH264TX Broadcast Transmitter
H264TX, H264ENGTX, H264ENC
UNCLASSIFIED
Part A - User Guide
DS000091
Rev 1.2 2013-05-02
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5.10 Alarm System – SOLH264ENGTX .................................................................5-36
5.11 Display System - SOLH264ENGTX................................................................5-36
6. Connectivity.............................................................................6-37
6.1 General ........................................................................................................6-37
6.2 Power – SOLH264TX......................................................................................6-37
6.2.1 DC Power ...............................................................................................6-37
6.2.2 AC Power................................................................................................6-37
6.3 Signal – SOLH264TX......................................................................................6-37
6.3.1 Video......................................................................................................6-37
6.3.2 Audio .....................................................................................................6-38
6.3.3 Data.......................................................................................................6-38
6.3.4 IP...........................................................................................................6-38
6.4 Control – SOLH264TX....................................................................................6-38
6.4.1 RS232 Control.........................................................................................6-38
6.4.2 IP Control...............................................................................................6-38
6.5 Power – SOLH264ENGTX ...............................................................................6-39
6.5.1 DC Power ...............................................................................................6-39
6.5.2 AC Power................................................................................................6-39
6.6 Signal – SOLH264ENGTX................................................................................6-39
6.6.1 Video......................................................................................................6-39
6.6.2 Audio .....................................................................................................6-39
6.6.3 Data.......................................................................................................6-40
6.6.4 IP...........................................................................................................6-40
6.7 Control – SOLH264ENGTX..............................................................................6-40
6.7.1 RS232 Control.........................................................................................6-40
6.7.2 IP Control...............................................................................................6-40
7. Setting up your Transmitter ......................................................7-41
7.1 General ........................................................................................................7-41
7.2 Connecting Antennas.....................................................................................7-41
7.2.1 Assembling the Antenna System...............................................................7-41
7.2.2 Attaching the Antenna .............................................................................7-41
7.2.3 Antenna Polarization................................................................................7-41
7.3 Downconverter System..................................................................................7-42
7.4 Upconverter System ......................................................................................7-42
7.5 Connecting Signals – SOLH264TX ...................................................................7-42
7.5.1 Connecting Video Signals .........................................................................7-42
7.5.2 Connecting Audio Signals.........................................................................7-42
7.5.3 Connecting Data Signals...........................................................................7-43
7.6 Connecting Power – SOLH264TX ....................................................................7-43
7.6.1 Connecting DC Power ..............................................................................7-43
7.6.2 Connecting AC Power...............................................................................7-43
7.7 Connecting Power – SOLH264ENGTX ..............................................................7-44
7.7.1 Connecting DC Power ..............................................................................7-44
7.7.2 Connecting AC Power...............................................................................7-44
7.8 A Look at the Control Panel............................................................................7-44
7.8.1 Cancel/Back Button .................................................................................7-44
7.8.2 Joystick/Confirm Button ...........................................................................7-44

SOLH264TX Broadcast Transmitter
H264TX, H264ENGTX, H264ENC
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7.9 A Look at the Display – SOLH264TX................................................................7-45
7.10 A Look at the Menu Structure – SOLH264TX.................................................7-46
7.10.1 Display Screen, Menu Structure .............................................................7-46
7.10.2 Display Screen, Menu Functions.............................................................7-47
8. Basic Operation........................................................................8-48
8.1 General ........................................................................................................8-48
8.2 Starting and Stopping – SOLH264TX...............................................................8-48
8.2.1 Powering Up – SOLH264TX ......................................................................8-48
8.2.2 Powering Up – SOLH264ENGTX................................................................8-48
8.2.3 Shutting Down – SOLH264TX ...................................................................8-48
8.3 Working with the Control Panel – SOLH264TX..................................................8-49
8.3.1 Selecting the Root Menu ..........................................................................8-49
8.3.2 Selecting a Configuration .........................................................................8-49
8.3.3 Selecting RF on or off ..............................................................................8-50
8.3.4 Using the Unit Status Menu......................................................................8-51
8.3.5 Using the Unit Control Menu.....................................................................8-52
8.3.6 Using the Local Settings Menu..................................................................8-53
8.3.7 Using the Control Panel Button Lock Feature..............................................8-53
9. Advanced Operation.................................................................9-55
9.1 General ........................................................................................................9-55
9.2 Encryption ....................................................................................................9-55
9.2.1 Encryption System...................................................................................9-55
9.2.2 Switching on the Transmitter Encryption ...................................................9-55
9.2.3 Number of Encryption Key Characters Required .........................................9-56
10. Control System....................................................................10-58
10.1 General ...................................................................................................10-58
10.2 Connecting your PC to your Radio..............................................................10-58
10.2.1 Installing the Control Application..........................................................10-58
10.2.2 Serial Connection between Radio and PC..............................................10-58
10.2.3 Starting the Control Application ........................................................... 10-59
10.2.4 Logging in to the Control Application.................................................... 10-59
10.2.5 A Look at the Main Window.................................................................10-59
10.3 Configuring Basic Settings.........................................................................10-61
10.3.1 Serial Port Configuration .....................................................................10-61
10.3.2 Using the Connect Button....................................................................10-61
10.3.3 Understanding Polling Status............................................................... 10-61
10.3.4 Enabling Polling..................................................................................10-61
10.3.5 Configuring Polling.............................................................................. 10-61
10.3.6 Understanding Connection Status ........................................................ 10-62
10.3.7 Using the Configuration Buttons........................................................... 10-62
10.3.8 Saving a Configuration........................................................................10-62
10.3.9 Loading a Configuration......................................................................10-63
10.3.10 Opening the Advanced Options Window ............................................10-64
10.3.11 Using the Configuration Set Buttons..................................................10-64
10.3.12 Saving a Configuration Set ...............................................................10-64
10.3.13 Loading a Configuration Set .............................................................10-65

SOLH264TX Broadcast Transmitter
H264TX, H264ENGTX, H264ENC
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Part A - User Guide
DS000091
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10.3.14 Understanding the Connection Status Indicator..................................10-65
10.3.15 Understanding the RF Output Indicator .............................................10-65
10.3.16 Understanding the Video Lock Indicator ............................................ 10-66
10.3.17 Using the Apply Button ....................................................................10-67
10.3.18 Using the Refresh Button .................................................................10-67
10.3.19 Basic Setup Pane - Quick Setup ........................................................ 10-67
10.3.20 Understanding Presets.....................................................................10-68
10.3.21 Understanding the Toolbar...............................................................10-69
10.4 Configuring the Radio...............................................................................10-70
10.4.1 Opening the Advanced Options Window...............................................10-70
10.5 Understanding the Unit Information Tab.....................................................10-71
10.6 Configuring the Modulation Tab.................................................................10-72
10.6.1 Radio Settings (1)...............................................................................10-73
10.6.2 Radio Settings Table...........................................................................10-74
10.6.3 DVB-T Settings (2) .............................................................................10-75
10.6.4 Power Settings (3)..............................................................................10-76
10.7 Configuring the Audio Parameters..............................................................10-77
10.7.1 Audio Settings.................................................................................... 10-77
10.8 Configuring the Video Parameters..............................................................10-78
10.8.1 Video Settings.................................................................................... 10-79
10.9 Configuring the Unit Parameters................................................................ 10-82
10.9.1 Unit Parameter Settings ......................................................................10-83
11. Care and Maintenance .........................................................11-86
11.1 General ...................................................................................................11-86
11.2 Daily Care and Charging............................................................................11-86
11.3 Cleaning..................................................................................................11-86
11.4 Storage ...................................................................................................11-86
11.5 Repairs....................................................................................................11-87
11.6 Technical Support.....................................................................................11-87
11.7 RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) Service ........................................11-87
12. Appendix A-Glossary............................................................12-88
12.1 General ...................................................................................................12-88
12.2 Glossary ..................................................................................................12-88
13. Appendix B-Advanced Chaining Guide...................................13-94
13.1 About the Terms ‘ASI’ and ‘Chaining’..........................................................13-94
13.1.1 Asynchronous Serial Interface, ASI ......................................................13-94
13.1.2 Chaining............................................................................................13-94
13.1.3 SOLH264TX Uses Both Terms..............................................................13-94
13.2 About Hexadecimal and Decimal PID Numbers............................................13-94
13.3 What is an MPEG Transport Stream?..........................................................13-95
13.4 What is a PID?.........................................................................................13-95
13.5 About Cobham Default PIDs......................................................................13-95
13.6 About Program Number ............................................................................13-96
13.7 The Relationship between PIDs, Program Number and Chaining Number ......13-96
13.7.1 Chaining Numbers vs. Program Numbers..............................................13-96
13.7.2 Chaining Numbers and the Default PIDs...............................................13-97

SOLH264TX Broadcast Transmitter
H264TX, H264ENGTX, H264ENC
UNCLASSIFIED
Part A - User Guide
DS000091
Rev 1.2 2013-05-02
UNCLASSIFIED
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13.8 About Service Name and Unit Name – TX End.............................................13-97
13.9 About the Receiver End of the Link............................................................13-98
13.9.1 Program Numbers .............................................................................. 13-98
13.9.2 Service Names and Unit Names ........................................................... 13-98
13.10 About Chaining Modes ...........................................................................13-98
13.11 Setting up Relay Mode...........................................................................13-98
Before you Begin..............................................................................................13-99
Step 1 – Connect the System .......................................................................... 13-100
Step 2 - Configure the Transmitter for Relay..................................................... 13-100
Troubleshooting............................................................................................. 13-101
13.12 Setting up Chaining Mode .................................................................... 13-102
Before you Begin............................................................................................ 13-102
Step 1 – Connect the System .......................................................................... 13-103
Step 2 - Configure Transmitter 1 for Chaining................................................... 13-103
Step 3 - Configure Transmitter 2 for Chaining................................................... 13-104
Step 4 – Configure the Receiver to Show Transmitter 1..................................... 13-106
Step 5 – Configure the Receiver to Show Transmitter 2..................................... 13-107
13.13 About the Terms at the Receiver End.................................................... 13-107
13.14 How does SOLO 6 do Chaining?............................................................ 13-108
13.15 Dividing Bit Rate using a Manual Method............................................... 13-109
Before you Begin............................................................................................ 13-109
Step 1 – Connect the System .......................................................................... 13-110
Step 2 - Configure Transmitter 1 for Chaining at High Bit Rate........................... 13-111
Step 3 - Configure Transmitter 2 for Chaining at Low Bit Rate............................ 13-113
Step 4 – Configure the Receiver to show Transmitter 1 ..................................... 13-115
Step 5 – Configure the Receiver to show Transmitter 2 ..................................... 13-115