Miranda REF-1801 Instruction Manual

DENSITÉ series
REF-1801
HD/SD Frame Reference Module
Guide to Installation and Operation
M845-9900-100
13 Jul 2007
Miranda
Technologies Inc.
3499 Douglas-B.-Floreani
St-Laurent, Québec, Canada H4S 1Y6
Tel. [phone]
Fax. [phone]
www.miranda.com
© 2007 Miranda Technologies Inc..

GUIDE TO INSTALLATION AND OPERATION
REF-1801
Safety Compliance Information
Safety Compliance
This equipment complies with:
- CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1-03 / Safety of Information Technology Equipment, Including Electrical Business Equipment.
- UL 60950-1 (1st Edition) / Safety of Information Technology Equipment, Including Electrical Business Equipment.
- IEC 60950-1 (1st Edition) / Safety of Information Technology Equipment, Including Electrical Business Equipment.
CAUTION
These servicing instructions are for use by qualified service personnel only. To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not
perform any servicing other than that contained in the operating instructions unless you are qualified to do so. Refer all
servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing should be done in a static-free environment.
Electromagnetic Compatibility
- This equipment has been tested for verification of compliance with FCC Part 15, Subpart B, class A requirements for
Digital Devices.
- This equipment complies with the requirements of:
EN 55022 Class A, Electromagnetic Emissions,
EN 61000-3-2 & -3-3, Disturbance in Supply Systems
EN 61000-4-2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -8 & -11 Electromagnetic Immunity
How to contact us:
For technical assistance, please contact the Miranda Technical support centre nearest you:
Americas
Telephone:
[phone]
e-mail:
[email protected]
Asia
Telephone:
[phone]
e-mail:
[email protected]
Europe, Middle East,
Africa, UK
Telephone:
[phone]
e-mail:
[email protected]
France (only)
Telephone:
[phone]
e-mail:
[email protected]
Visit our web site at www.miranda.com

GUIDE TO INSTALLATION AND OPERATION
REF-1801
Table of Contents
1REF-1801 HD/SD Frame Reference Module.............................................................................1
1.1 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Features..............................................................................................................................................1
1.3 Block Diagram.....................................................................................................................................1
1.4 Card Front Edge Layout......................................................................................................................2
1.5 Applications.........................................................................................................................................2
2Installation ..................................................................................................................................4
2.1 Unpacking ...........................................................................................................................................4
2.2 Installation in the Densité frame.......................................................................................................... 4
2.3 Connection..........................................................................................................................................4
3Operation ....................................................................................................................................5
3.1 Control Options...................................................................................................................................5
3.2 Local control using the Densité frame control panel........................................................................... 5
3.2.1 Status LED.............................................................................................................................6
3.2.2 Menu for local control.............................................................................................................7
3.3 Remote control using iControl.............................................................................................................8
3.3.1 The iControl graphic interface window...................................................................................8
3.3.2 Input tab...............................................................................................................................10
3.3.3 Mode tab..............................................................................................................................11
3.3.4 Output tab ............................................................................................................................11
3.3.5 SPG Option tab....................................................................................................................13
3.3.6 Alarms tab............................................................................................................................13
3.3.7 Info tab.................................................................................................................................16
4Specifications...........................................................................................................................18

GUIDE TO INSTALLATION AND OPERATION
REF-1801

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REF-1801 | 1
1 REF-1801 HD/SD Frame Reference Module
1.1 Introduction
The REF-1801 provides distribution of a universal reference signal (URS) to all the cards within
the same Densité frame, while generating a selectable reference signal for external use.
The unique URS concept provides significant advantages as it digitally generates reference
signals and simplifies inter-format processing by using a unique reference signal for all video and
audio frame rates.
The REF-1801 uses the SMPTE-318 standard, which allows for perfect audio / video phasing.
Other features include the ability to slave other Densité frames as well as advancing or delaying
reference output signals
The REF-1801 should be installed in slot 10 of a Densité-2 frame.
1.2 Features
•Digitally generated reference for intra-frame distribution
•Selectable audio / video reference signal for external use (option)
•Time code extraction and insertion
•Advanced or retarded output timing
•Easy control & monitoring
1.3 Block Diagram

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2| REF-1801
1.4 Card Front Edge Layout
1.5 Applications
Application 1:
Referencing converters and frame sync modules
In this application, the REF-1801 accepts a reference input and generates a URS4D signal that is
distributed to all Densité slots within the same frame. This is the most basic application for our
reference card.
(overview)
(detailed view)
Select
Status
Status LED
SELECT button
REF-1801
Densité-2 Frame
REF-1801
Converter / FS
Requiring Reference
Converter / FS
Requiring Reference
SPG-1801
…
Ref
in
Signal
in Signal Out
Signal
in Signal Out
Ref
In Sync Out
Slot 10
Slot M
Daughter
REF-1801
Genlock
URS-4D
Generator
Sync
Gen
Frame
Ref In
Ref Out
Signal Out
Converter/Frame
Sync Module
Signal In
SEL
Frame
Sync Card
Ref In*
Slot N
SPG-1801
SEL
Card
Ref In*
Genlock
Ref Out
Signal
Outputs
Sync Gen
Sync Gen
Genlock

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REF-1801 | 3
Application 2:
Slaving cards in a frame to another REF equipped frame
In this application, the reference signal is distributed in order to slave another Densité frame. The
ability to carry time code and SMPTE-318 information will allow the slaved frame to operate with
the same A/V phasing information as the master frame.
Application 3:
Feeding 3rd party equipment that requires REF (e.g.: tri-level sync)
In this application, the REF-1801 card is used to generate a reference signal to feed 3rd party
equipment. This might be very useful, especially when the 3rd party equipment needs a tri-level
sync reference signal.
Densité-2 Frame
REF-1801
Densité-2 Frame
REF-1801
Signal
Out
Ref
in
Signal
in Signal Out
Converter / FS
Requiring Reference
Converter / FS
Requiring Reference
Signal
in
Signal
in Signal Out
Converter / FS
Requiring Reference
Converter / FS
Requiring Reference
Signal
in Signal
Out
Ref
in
Black Burst with
VITC (SMPTE-318)
Densité-2 Frame
Ref
in
Signal
in Signal Out
Signal
in Signal Out
Signal
in Signal Out
Tri-Level Sync 3rd Party Equipment
requiring REF
Converter / FS
Requiring Reference
Converter / FS
Requiring Reference
Converter / FS
Requiring Reference
URS
URS
URS
3rd Party Equipment
requiring REF
REF-1801 Black Burst

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4| REF-1801
2 Installation
2.1 Unpacking
The following items should be included in the REF-1801 package:
•REF-1801 HD / SD Frame Reference Module
•REF-1801-SRP rear panel
•User manual
2.2 Installation in the Densité frame
The REF-1801 must be mounted in a DENSITÉ-2 frame. The installation includes both the REF-1801
module, and the rear panel module. It is not necessary to switch off the frame’s power when installing or
removing the card.
Detailed instructions for installing cards and their associated rear panels in the Densité frame are given in
the Densité Frame manual.
2.3 Connection
All connections are made on the rear panel:
•Connect the input reference signal to the BNC marked REF
A loop-through is provided, which should be terminated if unused.
•Connect LTC time-code to the BNC marked LTC IN
•Two programmable sync outputs are available on the SYNC OUT BNC
connectors (only if the SPG option has been enabled)
Figure 2.1 REF-1801-SRP rear panel
REF LTC IN
1
2
SYNC OUT
REF-1801-SRP

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REF-1801 | 5
3 Operation
3.1 Control Options
The REF-1801 has two primary control interfaces:
•The local control panel attached to the Densité frame’s controller
•Remote control using Miranda’s iControl system
These will be explained in detail in the following sections.
3.2 Local control using the Densité frame control panel
Push the SELECT button on the REF-1801 card edge (see Section 1.4) to assign the local control panel to
operate the REF-1801. Use the control panel buttons to navigate through the menu, as described below.
All of the cards installed in a Densité frame are connected to the frame’s controller card, which handles all
interaction between the cards and the outside world. There are no operating controls located on the cards
themselves. The controller supports remote operation via its Ethernet ports, and local operation using its
integrated control panel.
The local control panel is fastened to the controller
card by a hinged connector, and when installed is
located in the front center of the frame, positioned in
front of the power supplies. The panel consists of a
display unit capable of displaying two lines of text,
each 16 characters in length, and five pushbuttons.
The panel is assigned to operate any card in the frame
by pushing the SELECT button on the front edge of
that card. Pushing the CONTROLLER button on the
control panel selects the Controller card itself. The
STATUS LED on the selected card flashes yellow.
The local control panel displays a menu that can be navigated using the four pushbuttons located beneath
the display. The functionality of the pushbuttons is as follows:
[CTRL] Selects the controller card for status monitoring and adjustment
[+] [–] Used for menu navigation and value modification
[SELECT] Gives access to the next menu level. When a parameter value is shown, pushing this button
once enables modification of the value using the [+] and [–] buttons; a second push confirms the
new value
[ESC] Cancels the effect of parameter value changes that have not been confirmed; pushing [ESC]
causes the parameter to revert to its former value.
Pushing [ESC] moves the user back up to the previous menu level. At the main menu, [ESC]
does not exit the menu system. To exit, re-push the [SELECT] button for the card being
controlled.
If no controls are operated for 30 seconds, the controller reverts to its normal standby status, and the
selected card’s STATUS LED reverts to its normal operating mode.
SELECT
ESC
+
-
CONTROLLER

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6| REF-1801
3.2.1 Status LED
The status monitor LED is located on the front card-edge of the REF-1801, and is visible through the front
access door of the DENSITÉ frame. This multi-color LED indicates module status by color, and by
flashing/steady illumination, according to the chart. The chart also indicates fault reporting for this card on the
DENSITÉ frame’s serial and GPI interfaces.
Serial
Report GPI Report Green Yellow Red Flashing Red
Mode Freerun 
No Signal 
I/O Mismatch 
No Time Code 
Hardware failure 
: Factory default.
NOTE: A “Flashing Yellow” Status LED indicates that the SELECT button on the front panel has been
pushed.

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REF-1801 | 7
3.2.2 Menu for local control
The REF-1801 has operating parameters which may be adjusted locally at the controller card interface. After
pressing the SELECT button on the REF-1801 module, use the keys on the local control panel (described
above) to step through the displayed menu and adjust the parameters. The menu is shown below.
STATUS
OUTPUT CONFIG* * Available with SPG Option
OUTPUT 1
OUPUT FORMAT : OFF/ BLACK B. 59.94 / BLACK B. 50 / Tri-L 1080i59.94 / Tri-L 1080i50 /
Tri-L 720p59.94 / Tri-L 720p50 / DARS 48 kHz / WORD CLOCK 48 kHz
VERTICAL [-524, …. -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, …. 523, 524] (lines) (525)
[-624, …. -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, …. 523, 624] (lines) (625)
[-1124, ….-2, -1, 0, 1, 2, …, 1123, 1124] (lines) (1080i)
[-749, …. -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, …, 748, 749] (lines) (720p)
HORIZONTAL [0, 0.037, 0.064, …. 63,5] (us) (525)
[0, 0.037, 0.064, …. 64] (us) (625)
[0, 0.013, 0.027, …. 29.67] (us) (1080i59.94)
[0, 0.013, 0.027, …. 35.56] (us) (1080i50)
[0, 0.013, 0.027, …. 22.24] (us) (720p59.94)
[0, 0.013, 0.027, …. 26.67] (us) (720p50)
OUTPUT 2 (Same sub-menu as for OUTPUT 1)
REFERENCE SOURCE [AUTO, EXTERNAL, INTERNAL]
URS GEN MODE [NORMAL, FREERUN]
TIME CODE [AUTO, LTC, VITC]
CONFIG ALARMS NO INPUT SIGNAL ALARM LEVEL [GREEN, YELLOW, RED, FLASH RED]
ALARM REPORT [NONE, GPI]
NO TIME CODE ALARM LEVEL [GREEN, YELLOW, RED, FLASH RED]
ALARM REPORT [NONE, GPI]
I/O MISMATCH* ALARM LEVEL [GREEN, YELLOW, RED, FLASH RED]
ALARM REPORT [NONE, GPI] * Available with SPG Option
VERSION REF-1801: xxx
OPTIONS SPG ON/OFF Key: xx.xx.xx.xx
FACTORY DEFAULT [RESTORE]

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8| REF-1801
3.3 Remote control using iControl
The operation of the REF-1801 may be controlled using Miranda’s iControl system.
•This manual describes the control panels associated with the REF-1801 and their use.
•Please consult the iControl User’s Guide for information about setting up and operating iControl.
In iControl Navigator or iControl Websites, double-click on the REF-1801 icon to open the control panel.
3.3.1 The iControl graphic interface window
The basic window structure for the REF-1801 is shown in figure 3.1. The window identification line at the top
gives the card type (REF-1801), and the slot number in which the card is installed in the Densité frame. On
the left is a Status icon for the card.
Figure 3.1 REF-1801 iControl graphic interface window
There are four main sections in the window itself, identified in figure 3.1:
1. The top section displays icons on the left. These icons report card communication status, input reference
signal format and status, and output reference signal status.
Icon # 1 2 3 4
1
2
4
3
(
alternate a
pp
earance
)

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REF-1801 | 9
Move the cursor over an icon to see its current status in the message area below the icons. If there is
an error status, the message will appear automatically. If there are multiple error messages, the display
will cycle through them
•Mousing over the Reference Status icon will show the format of the input reference
Icon # Indicates appearance interpretation
1 Card control
status
Green if the card is controlled remotely
Yellow when locally controlled
2 Input Reference
status
Green if OK,
Red if error detected
3 Output 1
Reference
mismatch
Green if OK,
Red if error detected
4 Output 1
Reference
mismatch
Green if OK,
Red if error detected
2. Tabs are provided to give access to the various controls. Click on a tab to access it
Note that the appearance of the tabs will vary depending on the version of iControl that is in use:
•Double row of tabs, with all tabs showing
•Single row of tabs, with arrow buttons to move along until desired tab shows
Both versions are shown in figure 3.1
3. The contents of the selected tab, with operating controls and status monitors as required.
4. The Load Factory button.
Clicking this button will reset all REF-1801 parameters to factory-default values, overriding settings made
in the control panels.

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10 | REF-1801
3.3.2 Input tab
Reference Source
The pulldown selects the reference source for this REF-1801.
The choices are:
•Auto – Use the external reference if available; switch to
the internal reference if the external reference is lost or
unavailable.
•External – use the reference connected to the rear panel
•Internal – use the internal reference source
Time Code
The Timecode Source pulldown selects the source of timecode
that will be inserted in the outgoing reference signals from this
REF-1801. The choices are:
•Auto – Use LTC if available, if not, VITC.
•VITC – extract timecode from the reference input
•LTC – use the timecode connected to the LTC input on the
rear panel.
The current status of time code available at the REF-1801 input
is shown in the LTC Status and VITC Status areas
•Valid (green icon): valid time code detected at the input
•Phase error (red icon):
SMPTE-12 specifies the phase relation between LTC and video. If the LTC received does not match
this alignment window, the card will flag this error.
•Frame error (red icon):
The time code must match the input reference frame rate. If not, a error is flagged.
•Absent (red icon): no time code detected at the input
Note: The error detection algorithm uses the current reference format. So, when using internal
reference, all information extracted from the input is out of phase, the card can then flag errors even if
it’s not the case.
Figure 3.2 Input tab

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REF-1801 | 11
3.3.3 Mode tab
URS (Universal Reference Signal) is a Miranda-proprietary
reference that is used within a Densité frame. It is generated by
the REF-1801 (which must be located in slot 10), and distributed
to other cards in the frame via the frame’s midplane.
URS Generation Mode
The pulldown allows selection of the operating mode of the URS
generator in the REF-1801:
Normal – In normal mode, the URS signal generated contains
only the synchronization signals that match the reference format
used by the REF-1801. That is, if input is NTSC, only 29.97Hz
synchronization signals are sent.
Free Run – If the freerun mode is selected, all URS
synchronization signals are generated, even the frame-rate-
mismatched ones. So, in the same frame, some cards can work
in 25Hz frame rate and other cards in 29.97Hz. The phase
relation between these two frame rates will be arbitrary, thus the
name freerun.
3.3.4 Output tab
The Output tab provides resources to configure the sync outputs
that are enabled by the SPG option.
•The controls on this tab are not functional if the SPG
option has not been enabled
Each of the two sync outputs can be configured independently.
Format – the pulldown selects the format of the sync output.
Available choices are:
•Black Burst 59.94
•Black Burst 50
•Tri-Level 1080i59.94
•Tri-Level 1080i50
•Tri-Level 720p59.94
•Tri-Level 720p50
•DARS 48 kHz
•Word Clock 48 kHz
Note that not all of these output choices will be available at all
times. The output formats available depend on the format of the
reference input.
Figure 3.3 Mode tab
Figure 3.4 Output tab

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12 | REF-1801
•The following chart shows the relationship between reference input format and available output
formats.
Output Black Burst Tri-Level DAR Word Clock
Input 59.94 50 1080i59.94 1080i50 720p59.94 720p50 48 KHz 48 KHz
Black Burst 59.94 • ••••
Black Burst 50 •••••
Tri-Level 1080i59.94 ••
••
Tri-Level 1080i50 ••
••
Tri-Level 720p59.94 ••••
Tri-Level 720p50 •
•••
DARS 48 kHz ••
Word Clock 48 kHz ••
Vertical (lines) – the slider selects the vertical offset between the reference input to the REF-1801 and the
output being configured.
•The nominal range is +/- one frame, and is indicated (in lines) at the ends of the slider
•The current value is shown in the data box at the right side of the slider.
The value can be changed by clicking and dragging the slider, or by typing a value directly into the data box.
Horizontal (μsec) – the slider selects the horizontal offset between the reference input to the REF-1801 and
the output being configured.
•The nominal range is 0 to 1 line, and is indicated (in μsec) at the ends of the slider
•The current value is shown in the data box at the right side of the slider.
The value can be changed by clicking and dragging the slider, or by typing a value directly into the data box.

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REF-1801 | 13
3.3.5 SPG Option tab
The SPG option adds sync pulse generation capability to the
REF-1801.
•To activate this option, you must obtain a licence key from
Miranda Technologies Inc.
•Type the licence key in the Enter Key box and then click
on Enable Option to enable the option’s features
•Once the Key has been entered, and the SPG option is
activated, the sync pulse generation features of the REF-
1801 will be available.
3.3.6 Alarms tab
Click the Alarm Config button to open the Alarm Configuration for REF-
1801 panel in a new window. This panel allows the alarm reporting of
the REF-18011 to be configured.
The panel is organized in columns.
Status/Name
This contains an expandable tree listing all the alarms reported by this
card.
•Each alarm name includes an icon that shows its current status
The Overall alarm and GSM contribution columns contain pulldown
lists that allow the level of contribution of each individual alarm to the
alarm named in the column heading to be set.
•Overall Alarm
This column allows configuration of the contribution of each
individual alarm to the Overall Alarm associated with this card. The
Overall Alarm is shown in the upper left corner of the iControl panel,
and also appears at the bottom of the Status/Name column.
Figure 3.6 Alarms tab
Figure 3.5 SPG Option tab

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14 | REF-1801
•GSM Contribution
This column allows configuration of the
contribution of each individual alarm to the
GSM Alarm Status associated with this card.
GSM is a dynamic register of all iControl
system alarms, and is also an alarm provider
for external applications. The possible
values for this contribution are related to the
Overall alarm contribution:
•If the Overall alarm contribution is
selected as Disabled, the GSM alarm
contribution can be set to any available
value
•If the Overall alarm contribution is
selected as any level other than
disabled, the GSM contribution is forced
to follow the Overall Alarm.
Levels associated with these alarms:
The pulldown lists may contain some or all of the following options:
The alarm makes no contribution (black icon)
The alarm is of minor importance (yellow icon)
The alarm is of major importance (orange icon)
The alarm is of critical importance (red icon)
The alarm exists but has no effect (used for text and composite alarms)
Shortcut: if you click in one of the columns beside REF-1801 in the Status/Name column (where there is
no pulldown shown), you will open an “invisible” pulldown that lets you assign a level to all alarms in that
column simultaneously.
Log Events
iControl maintains a log of alarm events associated with the card. The log is useful for troubleshooting and
identifying event sequences. Click in the checkbox to enable logging of alarm events for each individual
alarm.
At the bottom of the window are several other controls
Figure 3.7 Alarm Configuration panel

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REF-1801 | 15
Copy to other cards
Click this button to open a panel that allows the alarm
configuration set for this card to be copied into another
REF-1801 card.
•Select one or more destination cards from the
list in the window by clicking in the checkboxes,
or all of them by clicking in the All checkbox
Get alarm keys
Click this button to open a save dialog where you can
save a file containing a list of all alarms on this card
and their current values, along with an Alarm Key for
each. The alarm keys are useful for system
integration and troubleshooting.
•The file is saved in Excel.csv format
OK, Apply, Cancel
•OK accepts the settings and closes the window once the card confirms that there are no errors.
•Apply accepts the settings, but leaves the window open
•Cancel closes the window without applying any changes, and leaves the previous settings intact.
Figure 3.9 Get alarm keys save dialogue
Figure 3.8 Copy to other cards window

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16 | REF-1801
3.3.7 Info tab
When the REF-1801 is included in an iControl environment, certain
information about the card should be available to the iControl system.
The user can enter labels and comments that will make this card easy
to identify in a complex setup. This information is entered into data
boxes in the Info control panel.
Label: type the label that appear for this card when it appears in
iControl applications
Short Label type the short-form label that iControl uses in some
cases (8 characters)
Source ID type a descriptive name for this card
Comments: type any desired text
The remaining data boxes show manufacturing information about this
card.
Figure 3.10 Info tab
Three buttons in the panel give access to other information.
•Details…: Reports the Firmware version, service version,
and panel version for this card
•Advanced…: Shows the Miranda LongID for this card.
The Miranda LongID is the address of this REF-1801in
the iControl network.
Figure 3.12 Advanced window
Figure 3.11 Details window