In modern IP-based facilities, PTP is distributed for timing and synchronization to a common source. The SPG9000 can use a GNSS signal as the time source and serve as a PTP grandmaster for the video network. With two independent ports and PTP engines, each SPG9000 can provide PTP for two different domains (e.g. ST 2059 and AES67) or can connect to both sides of redundant networks.

For easy connectivity to spine or backbone switches, each PTP port of the SPG9000 can connect at either 10 Gbps or 1 Gbps line rate, using SFP+ transceiver modules.

Each PTP instance of the SPG9000 can operate as a leader only, a follower only, or use “Ordinary Clock” mode which can adapt between leader and follower as required. For example, if GNSS- based time synchronization is not available (perhaps because there is no clear view of the sky for the antenna), a pair of SPG9000 systems can still function as a primary + backup pair for redundancy. The backup will use PTP to sync to the primary, and takeover with no time disturbance when it switches from follower to leader.

The SPG9000 can also function as an NMOS- controlled media sender, generating video, audio and data reference test signals over ST 2110 IP streams. The two 25 Gbps ports for IP traffic can operate independently or as redundant links per ST 2022-7.

SDI/Analog Video Facilities

The SPG9000 is a full-featured sync pulse generator, providing all the necessary reference signals for an SDI-based video facility. The SPG9000 can lock to a GNSS signal or genlock to another SPG. It has six analog outputs for NTSC/PAL black burst, HD tri-level sync, 10 MHz continuous wave, or 1 pulse-per-second signals, each with independent timing offsets. Time code can be distributed from four LTC outputs and from VITC on any NTSC/PAL black outputs. Word Clock and Digital Audio Reference Signal (DARS) outputs are available for audio reference.

The SPG9000 also includes four multi-rate SDI test signal outputs that can operate independently for SD, HD-SDI (1.5G and 3G), and UHD (12G-SDI) formats, or as a quad-link interface for 4× 3G-SDI UHD formats.

Along with the companion ECO8000 changeover unit, a pair of SPG9000 units (primary and backup) comprise a highly available synchronization solution.

Hybrid SDI/IP Video Facilities

The SPG9000 is ideal for facilities that have a hybrid mix of IP-based equipment and SDI/analog equipment. SPG9000s can serve as PTP grandmasters for the facility’s time and synchronization source. PTP is distributed through the facility, and directly to IP-based devices. At the network edge, additional SPG9000 units (either standalone or paired in a primary/backup configuration with an ECO8000) can operate as PTP followers and lock to the active grandmaster. This reference is then used to generate analog sync and time code signals for SDI/analog equipment that uses a traditional genlock input. This system architecture ensures that all equipment in the facility is synchronized to the same time source.

Test signal outputs of each SPG9000 can be configured to duplicate the same video test patterns to both IP and SDI outputs, or they can be configured to use separate test patterns.

Flexible Configuration Options for Any System Architecture

The SPG9000 offers a complete set of reference inputs and outputs, supporting a wide variety of system designs. The base configuration includes all the features of a complete sync pulse generator, and all options are licensed so that they can be purchased with the base unit or any time later to upgrade the system.

The SPG9000 has multiple options for setting the internal clock reference (frequency and time-of-day). It can lock to a received GNSS signal, to another PTP grandmaster, or to another sync generator or an external atomic clock using the analog genlock input.

The loop-through genlock input can lock to many different types of analog synchronization signals, including NTSC and PAL black burst, HD tri-level sync signals for all common 1080-line and 720-line frame rates and formats, and continuous wave (CW) signals at 10 MHz and other

frequencies.

Integrated Dual-Band GNSS Receiver

In addition to their main purpose of providing position information, Global Navigation Satellite Systems also provide highly accurate time-of-day information. Video systems can use this time to compute the precise number of video and audio frames since the “epoch” date and time, thereby synchronizing signals even from disconnected systems.

The SPG9000 has an integrated multi-GNSS, dual-band receiver, supporting GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS satellite constellations at L1 and L5 frequencies as applicable. Unlike “smart” antennas that include an internal receiver, the SPG9000’s antenna produces a simple RF signal that can be brought to the SPG9000 by plain coaxial cable, greatly simplifying installation and maintenance.

The SPG9000 constantly monitors the received GNSS signal, showing the ID, status, and signal strength of each satellite currently in view. This information can be viewed on the web interface and retrieved via the HTTP API, providing valuable diagnostic information when investigating signal reception issues.

Powerful Test Signal Generator

Test signals are useful video and audio references that can be used to troubleshoot or verify performance of equipment and network links within the facility. The SPG9000 includes video, audio, and ancillary data generators for four multi-rate (up to 12G) SDI outputs and two 25 Gbps IP outputs.

A wide variety of standard video test patterns are available, such as color bars, monitor calibration patterns, ramps and staircases, and multiburst and zone plate patterns. Formats and image sizes from standard definition to UHD/4K are supported simultaneously on the independent outputs.

User-supplied image files can be loaded onto the instrument and output from the test signal outputs. Logo, ID text, and time code overlays can be superimposed onto the test pattern.

The SPG9000 has multiple independent audio tone generators that can be embedded into the SDI signals and output as ST 2110-30 IP streams. A special audio/video pattern can be used to measure A/V delay on a companion PRISM monitor.

Ancillary data can be included in the SDI signals and output as ST 2110-40 IP streams. Ancillary time code and user-specified packets are both supported.

Remote System Management and Monitoring

The SPG9000 includes several tools to facilitate easy integration with modern management systems and monitoring dashboards.

In addition to the front panel display and keypad for local operation, the SPG9000 has a full-featured easy-to-use web-based interface for remote operation. Access is controlled via user login and password authentication, with both administrator and operator access levels. HTTPS can be used for secure network access per EBU R 143 cybersecurity requirements.

A complete HTTP-based Application Programming Interface (API) is available for client-side software to query the instrument status and to configure its run-time options. Integrated web-based API documentation makes it easy for developers to understand message structures, and to interactively send requests to the instrument and view the responses.

The SPG9000 also utilizes syslog for sending log messages to a remote server. The minimum reported severity level is configurable, to only report error and warning messages or to also report informational system messages, for example.

PTP status and performance monitoring and GNSS receiver status are well-supported by both the HTTP API and syslog. The API conforms with the proposed SMPTE RP 2059-15 data model, providing a vendor-neutral interface for client- side developers.