COBHAM Solo 7 User manual

Resource Identifier 100145
Revision: 8.0
Solo7 Nano Transmitter
Video, Transmitters, Solo7 Nano Transmitter
Tactical Communications and Surveillance
Commercial in Confidence
The Cobham Centre - Solent
Fusion 2
1100 Parkway
Solent Business Park
Whiteley
Hampshire
PO15 7AB
United Kingdom
[phone]

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0. Preface
0.1 About this Document
This document contains 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.
Maintainers who 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.
0.5 Notice about this Guide
The product described in this manual is subject to continuous development and
improvement. All particulars of the product and its use (including the information and
particulars in this guide) are given by Cobham in good faith. However, it is acknowledged
that there may be errors or omissions in this guide.

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0.6 Typographic Conventions
This document uses these typographic conventions to identify text that has a special
meaning:
Typographic Convention
Example
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
0.7 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.

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0.8 Trademarks
All trademarks or registered trademarks that appear in this document are the property of
their respective owners.
© Cobham TCS Limited.
Cobham TCS Limited owns the copyright of this document which is supplied in confidence
and must not be used for any purpose other than for which it is supplied and must not be
reproduced without permission in writing from the owners.
0.9 Related Documents
You may also need to read:
Document
Source
Solo Concept Guide
Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance
IP Concept Guide
Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance
0.10 Document History
This document was written and produced by the Cobham 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
SharePoint

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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 Notice about this Guide....................................................................................0-1
0.6 Typographic Conventions.................................................................................0-2
0.7 Symbols..........................................................................................................0-2
0.8 Trademarks ....................................................................................................0-3
0.9 Related Documents .........................................................................................0-3
0.10 Document History.........................................................................................0-3
Contents......................................................................................... 0-4
1. Systems Description .................................................................. 1-1
1.1 What is the SOLO7 Nano Transmitter? ..............................................................1-1
1.2 What are the Features and Benefits of the Nano Transmitter?.............................1-2
1.3 What is the SOLO7 HD Nano Transmitter?.........................................................1-3
1.4 Getting an Overview of the Nano Transmitter ....................................................1-4
1.1 Getting an Overview of the HD Nano Transmitter...............................................1-6
2. Getting Started.......................................................................... 2-7
2.1 Identifying your Device....................................................................................2-7
2.2 Unpacking your Nano Transmitter.....................................................................2-7
2.3 Unpacking your HD Nano Transmitter .............................................................2-10
2.4 About the Labels on your Nano Transmitter.....................................................2-10
2.5 Planning the Hardware Installation..................................................................2-12
2.6 Identifying the Variants of Nano Transmitter....................................................2-12
2.7 Identifying the Options of Nano Transmitter ....................................................2-12
2.1 Identifying the Variants of HD Nano Transmitter..............................................2-13
2.2 Identifying the Options of HD Nano Transmitter...............................................2-14
2.3 About the Software with your Nano Transmitter...............................................2-15
3. Controls, Connections and Indicators.........................................3-17
3.1 About Controls, Connections and Indicators.....................................................3-17
3.2 Exploring the Top Panel – Nano Transmitter....................................................3-17
3.3 Exploring the Bottom Panel – Nano Transmitter...............................................3-18
3.4 Exploring the Side Panel – Nano Transmitter ...................................................3-19
3.5 Exploring the Top Panel – HD Nano Transmitter...............................................3-19
3.6 Exploring the Bottom Panel – HD Nano Transmitter..........................................3-20
3.7 Exploring the Side Panel – HD Nano Transmitter..............................................3-21
4. Setting up your Nano Transmitter..............................................4-22
4.1 Connecting the Antenna.................................................................................4-22

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4.2 Connecting DC Power ....................................................................................4-22
4.3 Connecting AC Power.....................................................................................4-23
4.4Connecting Video Signals – Composite 1 .........................................................4-23
4.5 Connecting Audio Signals...............................................................................4-24
4.6 Connecting Data Signals ................................................................................4-25
4.7 Connecting Control Signals.............................................................................4-25
5. Basic Operation........................................................................5-26
5.1 Starting and Stopping the Nano Transmitter ....................................................5-26
5.2 Wearing the Nano Transmitter on your Body ...................................................5-27
6. Advanced Operation.................................................................6-28
6.1 About Encryption...........................................................................................6-28
6.2 Setting up Encryption ....................................................................................6-28
6.3 About High Linearity and Low Power Modes.....................................................6-31
7. Advanced Setup.......................................................................7-33
7.1 About Advanced Setup...................................................................................7-33
7.2 Installing the Nano TX Controller on your PC ...................................................7-33
7.3 Connecting your PC to the Nano TX using Serial...............................................7-33
7.4 Exploring the Nano TX Controller Main Window................................................7-36
7.5 Performing a Quick Setup...............................................................................7-37
7.6 Working with the Unit Status Panel.................................................................7-42
7.7 Working with the Switch Panel........................................................................7-44
7.8 Working with the Unit Tab .............................................................................7-45
7.9 Working with the Modulation Tab ...................................................................7-51
7.10 Working with the Audio Tab ........................................................................7-58
7.11 Working with the Video Tab ........................................................................7-61
7.12 Working with the Misc Tab..........................................................................7-65
8. Appendix A – Cautions and Warnings ........................................8-69
8.1 Cautions and Warnings..................................................................................8-69
8.2 EMC / Safety and Radio Approvals ..................................................................8-70
8.3 CE Marking ...................................................................................................8-70
9. Appendix B - Care and Maintenance ..........................................9-71
9.1 Caring for your Equipment .............................................................................9-71
9.2 Charging.......................................................................................................9-71
9.3 Working with Lithium Batteries.......................................................................9-71
9.4 Cleaning.......................................................................................................9-72
9.5 Storage ........................................................................................................9-72
9.6 Repairs.........................................................................................................9-72
9.7 Getting Technical Support..............................................................................9-72
9.8 Using the Cobham RMA Service......................................................................9-73
10. Appendix C-Glossary............................................................10-74
10.1 Glossary ..................................................................................................10-74

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11. Appendix D – Reference Material..........................................11-83
11.1 Licensing your Unit...................................................................................11-83
11.2 Upgrading your Firmware..........................................................................11-85
11.3 Pinouts....................................................................................................11-85
11.4 Running the Nano TX Controller in Logging Mode........................................11-87
11.5 Recovering the Logging File.......................................................................11-89

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1. Systems Description
The subject equipment of this User Guide is:
Equipment Title
Part Number
SOLO7 Nano Transmitter
SOL7NTX-
SOLO7 HD Nano Transmitter
SOL7HDNTX-
Figure 1-1 – SOLO7 Nano Transmitter
1.1 What is the SOLO7 Nano Transmitter?
The SOLO7 Nano Transmitter is an ultra-miniature COFDM digital video transmitter from
Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance, designed specifically for covert video
installations and body-worn applications.
With proven Cobham COFDM technology at its core, the exceptionally small size and low
power consumption (typically 3.7W @ 100mW RF power) of the SOLO7 Nano transmitter
make it the product of choice for covert video hides, or applications requiring long term
battery power deployments, small unmanned aerial vehicles, and body-worn or body-wire
use.
The SOLO7 Nano Transmitter employs ultra-low latency High Profile H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC)
encoding for excellent image quality retention over the wireless link. MPEG-4 ASP video
encoding is also available for backward compatibility with older Cobham video transmission
products. Equipped with integral COFDM modulation, the SOLO7 Nano Transmitter is ideal
for establishing rugged wireless video links in numerous environments, including mobile and
urban. Offering several user-selectable modes that trade off image quality against range, the
SOLO7 Nano Transmitter is very well suited to all mission types.
The SOLO7 Nano Transmitter supports both industry standard DVB-T modulation and
Cobham Narrowband (2.5 MHz), Ultra Narrowband (1.25 MHz) and Ultra-X (625 kHz)
bandwidths. The narrowband modes allow users to share scarce spectrum allocation
extremely efficiently.

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The SOLO7 Nano Transmitter is supplied in a simple aluminium lightweight case and features
an industry standard reliable SMA transmit connector. Video, control and power interfaces
use two Micronetics connectors.
The SOLO7 Nano Transmitter can be controlled via either USB or via RS232. The versatile
and intuitive Cobham Field Controller can also be used to configure and control the SOLO7
Nano transmitter.
Security is ensured with optional AES128/256 Encryption.
The SOLO7 Nano Transmitter will transmit images in a non-line of sight environment up to
750m, depending on mode and frequency.
1.2 What are the Features and Benefits of the Nano
Transmitter?
It can be very useful to understand how the features of the unit yield tangible benefits to
you. This table summarises these features and, more importantly, the benefits.
Features and Benefits Table – Nano Transmitter
Key Features
Key Benefits
Digital COFDM Modulation
Excellent performance - Resistant to multipath
interference, delivers high quality video and
audio, even when mobile or in built up areas
like urban environments.
Low Delay, high quality video encoding in
MPEG-4
High reliability - Use a radio system just like it
was a line. You can choose between MPEG-4
ASP and H.264 encoding standard to suit your
application.
Compliant DVB-T Modulator and
proprietary narrowband.
True multi-mode operation - Perfect
integration with your current equipment.
100mW RF Up-Converter
Excellent range in non-line of sight
environments like cities, stadiums and
airports.
Compact and Power Efficient
Transmitters
Put the transmitter just where you need it. Get
those difficult links that ensure the success of
your operation. Never lose a link for lack of
power.
Composite Video Interfaces
Low cost of ownership - Easy connection to
your current cameras.
Integral Encryption at AES128 or AES256
(Optional).
Secure - Preserve your security of
transmission with powerful, simple to operate
encryption.

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Choice of UHF, L, S or C band solutions
Improved operational efficiency - Efficient use
of limited radio spectrum. Choose the
frequency that suits your operations. Select
licence free bands for some operations. Avoid
cluttered parts of the radio spectrum.
Low Latency
Enables real time operations like remote
vehicle control or UAV operations.
Sixteen Presets Available
Better use of assets and resources - You can
preset frequencies into any of sixteen presets.
Configure the whole operation in the calm of
the base then the operations staff just have to
quickly select the preset with one button.
High reliability and availability
Reduced maintenance requirement, reduced
spares holding, resulting in significant cost
benefits over the life of the system.
Low Mass (51g)
Suitable for discrete operation in the field.
Table 1-1 – Features and Benefits
1.3 What is the SOLO7 HD Nano Transmitter?
The SOLO7 HD Nano Transmitter is an ultra-miniature COFDM digital video transmitter from
Cobham Tactical Communications and Surveillance, designed specifically for Point-of-View
(PoV) and body-worn applications.
With proven Cobham COFDM and H.264 encoder technology at its core, the exceptionally
small size and ultra-low power consumption (typically 7.5W) HD Nano Transmitter enables
production teams to offer viewers stunning high definition images from the heart of the
action, in situations never previously possible due to equipment size and battery run-time
constraints.
The small size and ultra-low power consumption make the HD Nano TX ideal for UAV
‘Octocopter’ installations, enabling true long range HD broadcasting from these increasingly
popular devices for the first time. Optional lightweight, low power consumption amplifiers are
also available for even greater range capability.
The HD Nano Transmitter employs ultra-low latency High Profile H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC)
encoding for excellent image quality retention over the wireless link and supports composite,
SDI, HD-SDI and HDMI video input formats.
The HD Nano Transmitter offers numerous modulation options to suit various deployment
scenarios:
Industry standard DVB-T modulation for full HD quality and compatibility with existing
systems
Cobham UMVL modulation for enhanced high speed operation (motorsports) and
improved performance at high frequencies (6 & 7GHz)