The Tektronix ECO8000 is a highly versatile automatic sync and signal changeover unit with configurations and capabilities required to address modern master sync application and other advanced sync timing application. The Tektronix ECO8000 offers exceptional reliability, stability and high availability and is designed with optional high bandwidth input changeover capabilities for HD/SD and/or 3G-SDI signal environments.
Each Tektronix ECO8000 unit can be used with the following signal generators to form the complete sync generator system, which offers extra redundancy for the critical timing and synchronization system in the facilities: A pair of Tektronix Master Sync / Master Clock Reference Generators (SPG8000) for most broadcast facility timing applications. A pair of Tektronix Test Signal Generators (TG8000) for more advanced post production facility timing applications.
The Tektronix ECO8000 provides up to nine user-configurable BNC channels and four LTC channels. Each channel consists of primary and backup inputs, and an output. The base configuration of the Tektronix ECO8000 has three 50 MHz Electronic Fast Switch channels with options for six more 50 MHz Electronic Fast Switch or 3 GHz Relay Switch channels in groups of three channels each, plus four optional LTC channels.
The 50 MHz Electronic Fast Switch channels support black burst, HD tri-level sync, AES/DARS, and word clock signals. The 3 GHz Relay Switch of the Tektronix ECO8000 channels support SD/HD/3G-SDI signals as well as most analog reference signals. For applications that require more than nine BNC channels, two Tektronix ECO8000 can be configured to work as a single system which practically doubles the number of channels available (up to 18 BNC channels and eight LTC channels).
Channel Configuration
Channel configuration can be set either via the front panel or the Tektronix ECO8000 Web User Interface. Signal amplitude fault detection level follows the setting of the channel configuration. Detection on individual channel may be disabled, giving the option of disabling switching to the backup unit on failure of signals not critical to the facility operation.
Changeover Switching
When operated in the switch-on-fault mode, the Tektronix ECO8000 will automatically select the backup sync source should any of the primary inputs fail. However, in the unlikely event both sync sources are faulty, the Tektronix ECO8000 will not alternate between the two sources. If necessary, this function may be overridden with the manual sync source selection. Manual source selection also facilitates periodic testing of the changeover function.
Included Options:
Optional LTC Channels: The optional LTC channel connections are pin-compatible with the Tektronix SPG8000 and TG8000 generators, so these signals can be connected with standard 15 pin D-SUB cables. The same cable can be used to carry GPI connections, which allow the SPG8000 to trigger a changeover on certain error conditions such as loss of genlock.
50 MHz Electronic Fast Switch Channels: The Electronic Fast Switch function, which comes standard with all 50 MHz Electronic Fast Switch channels, significantly improves the changeover switching speed and thus minimizes disturbance of the reference sync signals when switching between primary and backup inputs. The Electronic Fast Switch channels have latching relay backups that engage on loss of power to maintain the selected signal path.
Optional 3 GHz Relay Switch Channels: The optional 3 GHz Relay Switch channels are optimized for SD/HD/3G-SDI signals, but are also usable for most reference signals. These channels utilize high bandwidth latching relays to preserve the selected signal path upon a loss of power.
Optional Backup Power Supply
The optional hot-swappable, redundant (backup) dual power supply system (Option DPW) virtually removes the risk of sync loss due to power supply unit failure, minimizing disruption in operations. Unique to the Tektronix ECO8000, the Automatic Changeover Unit periodically tests the backup power supply to verify its performance. If the test fails, a fault will be indicated on the LED fault indicator as well as an error message for backup power supply replacement - providing extra assurance that the backup power supply will be ready when needed.
Each power supply module has both AC and DC indicator LEDs. These LEDs continue to operate for 10 minutes after the loss of power. This allows quick troubleshooting in the event of supply or AC power failure.