Tektronix TSG 90 PATHFINDER User manual

Please check for change information at the rear
of this manual.
First Printing November 1993
Revised March 1994
User Manual
TSG90 PATHFINDER
NTSC Signal Generator
070-8964-00
Advanced Test Equipment Rentals
www.atecorp.com 800-404-ATEC (2832)
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Copyright ETektronix, Inc., 1992, 1993. All rights reserved.
Printed in U.S.A. Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and for-
eign patents, issued and pending.
Information in this publication supersedes that in all previously
published material. Specifications and price change privileges re-
served. The following are registered trademarks: TEKTRONIX and
TEK.
For further information, contact: Tektronix, Inc., Corporate Offices,
P.O. 500, Beaverton, Oregon, 97077

TSG 90 PATHFINDER User Manual i
Warranty
Tektronix warrants that the TSG 90 PATHFINDER NTSC Signal Genera-
tor will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of
one (1) year from the date of shipment. If this product proves defective
during the warranty period, Tektronix, at its option either will repair the
defective product without charge for parts and labor, or will provide a
replacement in exchange for the defective product.
In order to obtain service under this warranty, Customer must notify Tek-
tronix of the defect before expiration of the warranty period and make
suitable arrangements for the performance of service. Customer shall be
responsible for packaging and shipping the defective product to the ser-
vice center designated by Tektronix, with shipping charges prepaid. Tek-
tronix shall pay for the return of the product to Customer if the shipment
is to a location within the country in which the Tektronix service center is
located. Customer shall be responsible for paying all shipping charges,
duties, taxes, and any other charges for products returned to any other
locations.
This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure or damage caused by
improper use or improper or inadequate maintenance and care. Tektronix
shall not be obligated to furnish service under this warranty a) to repair
damage resulting from attempts by personnel other than Tektronix repre-
sentatives to install, repair or service the product; b) to repair damage
resulting from improper use or connection to incompatible equipment; c)
to repair any damage or malfunction caused by the use of non-Tektronix
supplies; or d) to service a product that has been modified or integrated
with other products when the effect of such modification or integration
increases the time or difficulty of servicing the product.
This warranty is given by Tektronix with respect to this product in
lieu of any other warranties, express or implied. Tektronix and its
vendors disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fit-
ness for a particular purpose. Tektronix’ responsibility to repair or
replace defective products is the sole and exclusive remedy provided
to the customer for breach of this warranty. Tektronix and its ven-
dors will not be liable for any indirect, special, incidental, or conse-
quential damages irrespective of whether Tektronix or the vendor
has advance notice of the possibility of such damages.

TSG 90 PATHFINDER User Manual
ii

TSG 90 PATHFINDER User Manual iii
Rev Mar 1994
Contents
Warranty i. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
List of Figures iii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
List of Tables iv. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Getting Started 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating Basics 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Controls 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift/Shift Lock. 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lock Out. 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bars and Other Signals. 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ID On/Off and ID Menu. 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ID Edit and ID Position. 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tone On/Off and Tone Menu. 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recall and Store. 8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix A: Characteristics 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix B: Replaceable Parts 25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix C: User Service 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery Hints 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Diagnostic Menu 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Preventive Maintenance 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
List of Figures
Figure 1: Multiburst 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 2: NTC7 Composite 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 3: NTC7 Combination 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 4: FCC Composite 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 5: SMPTE Color Bar Signal Components 16. . . . . .
Figure 6: 75% Bars 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 7: 5-Step Staircase (Gray Scale) 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

head a
TSG 90 PATHFINDER User Manual
iv Rev Mar 1994
Figure 8: Red Field 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 9: Field Square Wave 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 10: 50 IRE Flat Field 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 11: 0 IRE, No Burst 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 12: Black Burst 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 13: SINX/X 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 14: Convergence Signal Components 20. . . . . . . . . .
Figure 15: Matrix 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 16: Safe Area Signal Components 22. . . . . . . . . . . .
Figure 17: SNG Bars (Option 1J only) 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
List of Tables
Table 1: Physical Data and Environmental Limits 9. . . . .
Table 2: Power Requirements/Battery Life 10. . . . . . . . . . .
Table 3: Test Signal Generator—General Characteristics 10
Table 4: Audio Tone Output 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 5: Multiburst Test Signal 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 6: NTC7 Composite 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 7: NTC7 Combination 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 8: FCC Composite 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table 9: Remaining Test Signals 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Getting Started
TSG 90 PATHFINDER User Manual
2
Appendix A: Characteristics
TSG 90 PATHFINDER User Manual 23
Rev Mar 1994
21
163
262
SMPTE Color Bars
SMPTE IYQB
30 IRE Flat Field
164 – 198
199 – 209
210
L
I
NES
30 IRE Flat Field
Figure 17: SNG Bars (Option 1J only)

TSG 90 PATHFINDER User Manual 3
Operating Basics
The TEKTRONIX TSG 90 PATHFINDER TV Signal Generator is
designed for ease of operation and outstanding portability. It pro-
vides a complement of 16 NTSC test signals, including the Safe
Area signal. It also provides 13 selectable audio frequencies from
50 Hz to 20 kHz, a 50 Hz to 20 kHz audio sweep, and an audio
click channel ID. The two stereo AUDIO outputs may be set to one
of three selectable amplitudes: 0 dBu, +4 dBu, or +8 dBu.
The PATHFINDER provides character ID capability, as well, stor-
ing up to eight messages consisting of two 16 character lines of
text. Any one of these text messages may be inserted into the video
test signal, or up to four of them may be cycled in a continuous
loop (displaying for 1 to 9 seconds each) in any order. These mes-
sages may be displayed anywhere in the safe action area of the pic-

Operating Basics
TSG 90 PATHFINDER User Manual
4
ture, or the first line of the message may be moved into the vertical
interval.
In addition to the eight text messages, the PATHFINDER can also
store as many as four complete front-panel configurations (user
presets), which can include menu selections, text messages, and
tone and cycle information.
You may power the PATHFINDER with the standard AC adapter,
the optional 9.6 V NiCad battery pack, or with eight standard AA
batteries. AA batteries are not supplied with the instrument.
HRemember that attempting to operate the TSG 90 with an im-
proper AC adapter can result in permanent damage to the
instrument. USE AN APPROPRIATE DC POWER SOURCE
ONLY: Voltage must be 9 to 15 VDC; the connector must have
the NEGATIVE contact in the center; and open circuit voltage
of the power source must not exceed 18 VDC. For best results,
use the AC adapter that is supplied with the instrument.
HThe optional NiCad battery pack may be recharged without
removing it from the instrument. The AC adaptor will provide
a “trickle” charge to the pack whenever the adaptor is con-
nected to the PATHFINDER and an AC power source.
HRechargeable AA batteries may be used, but they will not be
recharged when in the instrument. To recharge AA batteries,
remove them from the PATHFINDER and use any appropriate
charger.
Controls
PATHFINDER controls consist of a keypad, which has buttons to
make operational selections and entering menus; alphanumeric but-
tons for text entry and test signal selection; and arrow buttons for
maneuvering through the menus and positioning text on screen.
There is an enter button in the center of the arrow keys, used in
menu selections. There is also a Shift/Shift Lock button, an ON
button, and a Lock Out button.
Shift/Shift Lock. The Shift/Shift Lock button is used to access the
upper (shifted) nomenclature associated with each of the buttons,
including itself. When Shift is pressed, a reverse video S is dis-

Operating Basics
TSG 90 PATHFINDER User Manual 5
played in the lower right corner of the LCD display, indicating that
the next keystroke will use the shifted nomenclature. If the next
keystroke is the Shift button again, then the keypad is locked into
the shift mode and all keystrokes will use the shifted nomenclature.
The LCD display shows a reverse video SL, indicating that shift
lock is active. Shift Lock is cancelled by pressing the Shift button a
third time.
Lock Out. The Lock Out button is used to disable the keypad.
While locked out, pressing any key (except Lock Out or ON) pro-
duces the message “press Lock Out” on the LCD display and has
no other effect. While in Lock Out mode, a lock symbol (padlock
icon) appears in the lower right corner of the LCD display.
Holding the Lock Out button down while switching the instrument
on will invoke the diagnostic menu. See Appendix C (page 27) for
more information.